Midsomer Norton businesses can you help with sponsorship as the war dead are remembered

An appeal has been launched for local businesses and individuals to consider sponsoring the dressing of the graves of those from in and around Midsomer Norton who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Last year forty graves of local servicemen and women were dressed with poppies and honoured thanks to a successful sponsorship scheme.

This year there will be another eleven graves being dressed during the moving November ceremony, and at least seven of these need sponsoring via the Royal British Legion.

The Legion's regional branch has added new areas to its management which include Stratton on the Fosse, Ston Easton and Farrington Gurney.

But they have also been visiting local graveyards looking for graves that were not Commonwealth War Graves, particularly in the First world War, when loved ones were often buried by families rather than the ministry.

The RBL said : " The area we will be covering for the Dressing of the Graves includes Wellow, Peasedown St John, Clandown, Writhlington, Kilmersdon, Radstock, MSN, Stratton on the Fosse, Chilcompton, Ston Easton, Farrington Gurney and Paulton. So its going to be a busy morning for the Branch.

"The sponsorship attracts a donation of at least £10 which covers the cost of the Poppy Spray; however, the sponsor will also receive a thank you certificate, a War Grave Card with details of the person they have sponsored, and where relevant a CWGC certificate for that individual. A personalised Remembrance card will be affixed to the poppy with the name of the sponsor, the name of the serviceman / woman. "

If you would like to sponsor a War Grave, please contact a branch member or e mail the President Wing Commander Geoff Wilson on [email protected] Once sponsored, the business or individual will have the first offer of sponsoring the War Grave in future years but is not committed to more than a year at a time.

The following graves are available for remembrance this year

Farrington Gurney

Gnr. S.R.Watts

Ston Easton

2nd Lt. A.G.Foxwell

St Vigors, Stratton on the Fosse

Pte A.W.Powell

Downside Abbey

2nd Lt. R.J. Burke

Radstock

Bdr. A. Veal

Kilmersdon

Fg. Off. T.I. Sanford

Pte T.W.Lansdown

Downside,Chilcompton

Pte R.R.Charles