PUPILS at Meadowpark School in Crcklade have taken a trip into the past in a bid to ensure the town’s war dead are remembered in the town for years to come.

The pupils took part in a nationwide Historic England initiative to commemorate the First World War by listing war memorials on the National Heritage List for England.

Teacher Tim Owen said: “The War Memorial in Cricklade is adjacent to Meadowpark School, so Historic England invited pupils from Meadowpark to undertake the survey.

“Pupils were given specific responsibilities. To look at the condition of the inscriptions, the condition of the stonework, the condition of the area surrounding the Memorial and to take photographs to record the current condition.

“The pupils were very proud to have been given the chance to be part of recording the condition of the War Memorial. They felt it was important that people remembered the sacrifices that local people made in the past.”

A spokeswoman for Historic England said they were keen to encourage young people to learn about and care for their local historic environment.

She said: “As part of our Heritage Schools programme of activities to commemorate the First World War, we are working with schools to involve pupils in the listing process by applying to have their local war memorial included on the National Heritage List for England.

“By learning about the significance of their local war memorial, they will understand the need to care for it as a tribute to the fallen and as a reminder to future generations about the sacrifices made.

“This is part of a wider project to research, record and list 2,500 memorials by 2018 to mark the centenary of the First World War.

“This is a major task but one that we are proud to undertake. These memorials will gain a place on the National Heritage List for England to tell the story of this country’s sacrifice and struggle.”