A former Royal Marine will be commemorating Remembrance Day on Sunday (November 10th) outside the area – after a campaign to get a War Memorial built in his village is on hold. 

Dave Harrison has spent the last three years or so trying to get a War Memorial built on land on the corner of Millmead and Heath Avenue in Rode Heath. 

But despite having the money ready to get the project off the ground and having a local builder on side to build it and a local architect to draw up plans, the memorial is still in its planning stage. 

And Dave will once again be paying his respects on Sunday (November 10th) at the War Memorial in Alsager.

The piece of land where Dave Harrison and other villagers want to build the war memorial. (Photo: Nub News)

Dave, a father-of-one from Rode Heath who served in Northern Ireland and Iraq, said: "I had an idea and put it to the village through the various Rode Heath Facebook groups. 

"I'd seen war memorials in other local villages and it struck a chord with me that we should too have a permanent structure. 

"The Good Shepherd church on Sandbach Road puts out wooden crosses with the fallen names laminated and pinned once a year. 

A artist's impression of the warm memorial. (B3architectural/Bruce Johnson)

"I typed a few emails and asked the various authorities for some pointers. The village fund raised money and every house had a leaflet put through their letter box. Collection points were set up and money was raised to complete work. 

"Local builder Lindon Clowes of L J Clowes Bricklaying and Building Services offered to build the memorial garden for free. All we need to do is supply the materials.

"Local architect Bruce Johnson of B3architectural also agreed he would draw up plans, again for free." 

Dave says he was originally told that ANSA, who look after the green spaces, would look at the plans and give agreement if they were agreeable. 

 "We've now been told that a full planning application needs to be submitted. Why couldn't they have told me this years ago?  

"Hopefully planning will be granted quickly and not take an age. I wanted this ready for this year's Remembrance Day but sadly we're now looking at next year.

"The older generation in Rode Heath shouldn't be expected to travel to Alsager for pay their respects on Remembrance Day and having a memorial here enables them to visit it whenever they want." 

 "We need a permanent structure in the village where people can go and visit and see the names of those who served in WWI and WWII. It's an important memorial to have in our village and I just hope we can get it done in time for next year." 

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