Former Goodyear workers help with war memorial restoration

A war memorial has been officially opened after a £25,000 restoration.

Tettenhall War Memorial, which is in the churchyard of St Michael's and All Angels in Wolverhampton, has undergone work after falling into disrepair.

It was made possible by a fundraising campaign by Rotarians from the Tettenhall Remembers group, which was supported by a donation of £8,000 from former Goodyear workers who are part of the 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Fund.

The work includes replacing the damaged sandstone cross, reinstating a missing section of the shaft with a faithful reproduction, and adding a new paved area to the base.

Barry Picken, secretary of Tettenhall Remembers, said: "The War Memorial is an important part of the history of Tettenhall and the community has responded magnificently to our fundraising efforts.

"The money from the trustees of the 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Fund is an enormous boost to our efforts to raise the £25,000 that we need to complete the work."

Cyril Barrett, who worked at the old Goodyear tyre plant in Wolverhampton for almost 40 years, said: "When we were approached to help with this project I could see it fitted in with our aim of leaving a proud legacy for all of the people who worked on the shop floor at Goodyear.

"The old memorial was crumbling but it now looks incredible. It is a fitting memorial to all those who gave their lives to help us all and we are proud to be able to help."

The 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Fund has donated millions of pounds towards more than 100 projects across the Black Country.

Current projects include £1.6m towards a new centre at Compton Care, and new equipment for Penn Hall Special School.