Our Great War Heritage

Stockton Brook Plaque
When St Edward’s Hospital, Cheddleton was demolished, a brass plaque that had hung above a bed there was given to the Nursing History Museum. As it mentioned Stockton Brook, the trustees approached Christina Jebb in 2007 and asked her to find a suitable home for the plaque.
It’s inscription begins: “This Cot was Endowed by the Residents of Stockton Brook, the result of Hospital Efforts for the year 1920, As a Memorial to the Men of the District who gave their lives in the Great War 1914 – 1918” and although it lists several names which also appear on the memorial in St Luke’s churchyard, not all of the names on this plaque are there. A group of parish councillors worked with Kevin O’Neill to research the names of those recorded and to find a new home for the plaque. It formed part of displays which Kevin used as part of his work with Endon St Luke’s pupils, before being installed beneath the Watrin Memorial in the Village Hall. Among the ideas suggested for making the plaque itself and the ongoing research information more accessible for visitors, students and family historians were a heritage trail, an interpretation board, a book summarising the research and dedicated pages on the parish council website.

War Memorial Project
A group of parish councillors established the War Memorial Project Group in 2013, dedicated to enhancing the setting of the war memorial in a tasteful and respectful manner. The initiative coincided with the Centenary commemorations of the First World War in 2014. The proposed scheme to improve the area surrounding the war memorial in St Luke’s churchyard was endorsed by both Endon with Stanley Parish Council and St Luke’s Church. Planting designs were inspired by Gertrude Jekyll, and funding was secured from several sources to bring the project to fruition. Endon with Stanley Parish Council agreed to manage the funds raised on behalf of the group and to commission the necessary contractors. In addition, the project group carried out research into the names recorded on the memorial plaques, as well as those omitted, and developed an overview of Endon’s Great War heritage. This information was presented on an interpretation board positioned at the approach to St Luke’s Church. The group continues to record and expand upon their research, with further details to be added to this website as the project progresses. Work around the memorial was completed in time for the 2014 Well Dressing Festival, accompanied by a banner displaying the proposed artwork for the interpretation board, which was installed shortly after the festival.