FIRST World War commemorations in the region are being boosted by the announcement that each Cotswold District Council (CDC) ward councillor will be allocated £500 to fund activities in their wards.

Proposals for the funding were put forward by CDC to mark the 100 year aniversary of the First World War this year and were passed at the council cabinet meeting last week, after being approved by all members of the committee.

Lynden Stowe, leader of CDC, explained the decision was taken to commemorate a significant time in world history and reflect on and recognise the sacrifices made by local people.

He said: “As the momentum builds towards this significant anniversary, we thought it would be appropriate to provide each councillor with a one-off sum of money to help honour local people who lost their lives or distinguished themselves in battle. We are not applying restrictive criteria to applications for funding but we are already aware that there will be interest from various communities that are planning events or activities such as local exhibitions, renovation of war memorials, and the provision of commemorative plaques and publications. It’s also possible that the funding might be used to stimulate interest and attract financial backing from other sources.”

The funding will be available from mid-February and applying for it will be similar to the way ward members allocate funding for youth projects.

David Broad, ward councillor for Chedworth, said he plans to spend the cash on the Chedworth Remembers project, a scheme that was set up a year ago to remember the 100 soldiers from the village who served in the First World War.

Anyone who wishes to apply for the commemorative funding should contact their ward councillor, whose contact details can be found by visiting www.cotswold.gov.uk