Local historians, former armed forces personnel and the people of Pant in Shropshire are being given the opportunity of working with a renowned sculptor to create an artwork to commemorate the one-hundred anniversary of the Armistice and the end of the First World War.

Pant Memorial Institute who runs Pant Memorial Hall is working with artist Neil Dalrymple to design the memorial artwork in collaboration with the local community. Neil has undertaken similar commissions in the past, including a ceramic war memorial for the community at Ffrith, in Flintshire. Pant’s Memorial Hall was set up after the First World War to be a memorial to the suffering endured by soldiers and civilians and now plays a central part in the life of the village.

The new artwork is designed to create a permanent visual memorial on the outside of the hall to commemorate the one-hundred anniversary of the Armistice. This will allow passers-by to find out about the hall’s role as a war memorial, even without going inside.

Shaun Fisher, one of the committee members at Pant Memorial Hall, said: “This initiative will allow the greatest possible input from the local community. Everyone in the village will be invited to meet Neil and make suggestions for the artwork before Neil comes up with his design.”

Neil added: “The mural will be made as a Ceramic Stoneware Sculptural Relief which will give it texture and definition. I will discuss the content of the mural with the community which will help me to create the design of the mural. I can then create images and other detail into an initial drawing. This will then be shown to the community for their approval for the final design before the sculpting stage.”

Pant Memorial Hall will be looking to raise funds for the new artwork through grants, local business support and individual donations.

Anyone who would like to find out more about this initiative is invited to the AGM of Pant Memorial Hall on March 15 at 7pm, where they will be able to meet Neil Dalrymple and give their about the artwork.

Shaun Fisher continued: “We are aiming to unveil the new artwork on Remembrance Sunday in November after which we hope the artwork will become a focal point for the village, and also a minor tourist attraction for this lovely part of the world.”