Bath College students carve commemorative stones to honour World War I heroes

Stonemasonry students from Bath College have volunteered their time for a project honouring local men who served in World War I.
 
The Level 3 students have carved commemorative paving stones for Mulberry Park, a new development in Bath being built by housing association Curo.
 
Local group Combe Down Heritage Society suggested that the streets should be named after men from the community who fought in the war.
 
Each street will be marked with a commemorative paving stone, with the first of these unveiled at a ceremony on Monday November 6.
 
Students Joshua Underwood, Jonny Stoker, Morwenna Harrington and Jack Green volunteered their time for the project.
 
They have made stones to honour Henry John ‘Harry’ Patch, William George Chivers and Herbert Charles Windell, who all grew up together in Combe Down village.
 
Harry Patch, “the last fighting Tommy”, was the last surviving combat soldier of World War I in any country. The paving stones were kindly donated by Forest of Dean Stone Firms.

Jonny said: “It’s my way of paying respect to those who fought in World War I, especially coming up to Armistice Day.

 
“I’m looking forward to visit the site and seeing all the stones laid together in situ. I think that will give me a massive sense of achievement.
 
“Volunteering for projects like this gives me the chance to test what I’ve learnt at college. I’ve enjoyed the chance to do some lettering work and practice another valuable skill.”
 
Relatives of William George Chivers attended the ceremony at Mulberry Park to lay the stone honouring him.
 
Jonathan Cope, who grew up in Combe Down, said: “We’re really touched that our relative is being honoured in this way.
 
“Our family has a strong connection with Combe Down – my mother even working on the former MoD Foxhill site. It is really important that future generations remember the sacrifices of those who fought in the world wars.”
 
Liz Potter, Chair of housing association and house builder Curo, said: “It’s a real privilege to work with the local community to honour these men.
 
“As Mulberry Park develops, we will continue to celebrate the history of the local area while looking forward to an exciting future for new and existing residents.”
 
The ceremony to unveil the first paving stones was attended by college students, representatives of Combe Down Heritage Society, the Royal British Legion, Bath and North East Somerset Council and MP Wera Hobhouse.