On Remembrance Sunday, a new monument was unveiled in the grounds of the former St Luke’s Church in Cradley Heath. Local sculptor Luke Perry wished to honour his grandfather, Eric Attwood, a Chainmaker during World War 2, which was a Reserved Occupation.
Luke sculpted a steel 12-foot-high Monument in his memory and invited other people in the local community to also have their family’s names inscribed on the Monument if they were also in a Reserved Occupation.
Before the Unveiling, Luke spoke about the Monument and sang a Black Country song. Black Country Performers John Homer and Billy Spakeman performed light entertainment poems, inviting audience participation with actions for a chorus of ‘Strong Onds, and a Warm Heart’, done in the pouring rain! A young lady gave a talk about Mary McArthur who in 1910 led the women chain makers of Cradley Heath to victory in their fight for a minimum wage.
Jen Kerrison, ALM in Dudley Wood and Cradley Heath said: “It is a wonderful Monument and means so much to the local community in Cradley Heath. It was also a joy to meet Luke Perry who had arranged a 1930s Chip Van for refreshments and organised reporters from Sky News and the Halesowen News. Many from the local community were involved, including the council and the Girl Guides at St John’s Church in Dudley Wood.”
After the unveiling ceremony, the annual Service of Remembrance, on behalf of Churches Together in Cradley Heath, Old Hill and Dudley Wood, was held on St Luke’s Grounds led by Licensed Lay Minister Val Cope. The Cradley Heath Salvation Army Band accompanied the hymns, and it was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Dudley, Cllr Pete Lee and Mrs Gloria Lee, Alex Ballinger MP for Halesowen, other councillors and Clergy from nearby churches. Major Lisa Goble of the Salvation Army gave the Address and Rich Hackett, Priest for the Forge Group, led the Intercessions.
