320 pounds raised for Poppy Appeal

By FONSP on June 6, 2011
The wreaths and poppies laid at the War Shrine during its Rededication on 22 May 2011 raised 320 pounds for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal. Thank you to everyone who made donations. The emphasis of the Poppy Appeal this year is the need to help the Afghan generation of the Armed Forces and their families.

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(Photo: Jane Wildgoose)

Shrine rededicated at special ceremony

By FONSP on May 24, 2011
The War Shrine was rededicated at a special service and act of remembrance on 22 May 2011. Following the Service, the Stoneham Spring Fayre was held there and the cows were welcomed into the Park.

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Gilding marks Shrine's completion

By FONSP on May 6, 2011
Today, with the carved lintels gilded with gold leaf by Emily Willis Fleming, the restoration of the Stoneham War Shrine was completed.

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Colin Davison, author of a new Ursula Moray Williams biography, will speak about her links with Hampshire, including her years spent at North Stoneham Park, which inspired such books as Bogwoppit and Grandpapa's Folly and the Woodworm-Bookworm. Harry Willis Fleming will set this in the context of the story of North Stoneham House, built for his family in the first half of the 19th century.

Wednesday 11 May, 7-9pm
#7.50 per person, booking essential
Hampshire Record Office, Sussex Street, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8TH
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On Sunday 22 May, the Shrine will be opened to visitors for the first time since its restoration. From 2pm there will be a country fete, the Stoneham Spring Fayre, held in Avenue Park, the Capability Brown parkland that surrounds the Shrine. Attractions will include the Belles of London City Morris, the Welcoming of the Cows, The War Graves Photographic Project, plenty of tea and cakes, and of course the Shrine itself. Earlier in the day there will be the Rededication ceremony at 12 noon. All are welcome.

Ground leveled and grass seed sown

By FONSP on April 5, 2011
Today we finished leveling the area around the Shrine and sowed the grass seed. We had to remove a large quantity of rubble from the former roof. We're hoping the grass will have taken in time for the Rededication service on 22nd May.

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Call for donations for the Time Capsule

By FONSP on April 3, 2011
To mark the end of the restoration, a Time Capsule will be sealed inside the Stoneham War Shrine in May 2011, with a set duration of 93 years and a scheduled final opening date in 2104. 

The Capsule will contain elements of local history and community memory, and will be a record of the area's identity, with items that reflect the spirit of North Stoneham, past and present. Such items might include handwritten memories, ephemera, photographs, drawings, letters to the future, and small objects ... Can you contribute?

Plaques reinstated 40 years later

By FONSP on March 2, 2011
Today the Roll of Honour plaques were put back in the Shrine, some forty years after they were first removed to St Nicolas church. Meanwhile the grounds around the Shrine were levelled, in preparation for grass-seeding at the beginning of next month. Finally, a mains water supply and drinking trough was installed for the cattle.

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Internal joinery installed

By FONSP on February 3, 2011
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Special service on 23 January 2011

By FONSP on January 15, 2011
A special service will be held at the Stoneham War Shrine, from 12 noon - 12.15pm on 23 January 2011, to remember military personnel who are currently away from home on active service. Their families and friends are invited to attend. The simple service will be taken by Reverend Stephen Holmes.

Chair of Eastleigh Area Committee Cllr Chris Thomas said: "It is great to see the war shrine being restored and this special service will be a suitable way to remember local military personnel who are currently serving".