Delight as Horndean War Memorial gets protected status

That’s the message from the government as a local war memorial has been listed and will be protected forever.

Horndean War Memorial, in the centre of the village, is one of a number of war memorials in the country that has been listed by Historic England.

The memorial, which depicts a statue of the goddess Nike, was restored in 2014 following a huge community fundraising campaign. The statue was removed in 1964 after a car accident.

Historic England has pledged to protect 2,500 memorials by 2018 to mark the centenary of the First World War.

John Whittingdale, culture secretary, who leads for the government on First World War commemorations, said: ‘Over a million Britons lost their lives in the First World War.

‘It’s important that their sacrifice is not forgotten – and that the lessons learnt during that time are as resonant now as they were then.

‘The centenary programme aims to bring us together more closely as a nation to honour the lives and bravery of all those who served.

‘War memorials are a valued part of our heritage and it is absolutely fitting that we cherish and preserve them.’