New War Memorial for Langrish and Stroud

Public Consultation
Following the news that St. John The Evangelist Langrish Church is likely to close sometime in 2025 a
decision has been made by the Parochial Church Council to move the WWI & WWII War Memorial
within St. John’s to All Saints East Meon. To compensate for this loss, Langrish Parish Council (LPC)
and Stroud Parish Council (SVP) are considering a New Memorial to honour those who gave their
lives during the First and Second World Wars. There have been representations made to LPC about
the positioning of a new War Memorial as to whether it should be placed on Langrish Green or at the
new Village Hall in Stroud. Both options may require planning permission, but it is hoped that both
options can be funded by grants.

Stroud Parish Council has been consulted about this decision, because at the time the Original
Memorial was placed in St. John’s, Stroud came within the auspices of the Parish of Langrish and as a
result the War Memorial includes residents from Stroud and more oddly Oxenbourne and East
Meon. It should be noted that Stroud Parish Councillors have always attended Armistice Services at
St John’s Langrish on behalf of their Parishioners and are enthusiastic to contribute to a new
Memorial.

Most War Memorials are located outside, eg. Clanfield, East Meon, Petersfield and Steep and have
been designed to withstand English weather. The existing war memorial in St John’s Langrish was
designed and constructed to be housed within a building and is not able to withstand weather and
will deteriorate significantly if placed outside.

It is important that any new Memorial should be placed in a position that is meaningful for both
Langrish and Stroud residents, including Bordean and Ramsdean. The Pros and Cons for each space
are as follows:-

Langrish Green: Langrish has been the traditional home of the War Memorial in The Church. There
is space for a new, stand alone, Stone Memorial to be placed in between the Memorial Trees on
Langrish Green. The Green is owned by Hampshire County Council, but is no longer maintained by
them, instead relying on the goodwill of local people to maintain the space. Maintenance of the
Green cannot be guaranteed by future generations. The cost of this memorial will be around £1,500.

Stroud Village Hall: The SVH has rapidly become a hub for local people and is in regular use by the
WI, The Friends of Langrish and Ramsdean, keep fit classes, and many children and adult par􀆟es. It is
in a safe place with plenty of parking and convenient for everyone. If placed on an outside wall of
SVH, the Memorial would have easy maintenance and be seen by many people, including children
and possibly even used for education by Langrish School. There is plenty of space for many people to
a􀆩end a Remembrance Service and for Tea and Cake afterwards. The cost of this memorial will be
around £600.

Everyone is encouraged to visit both options before making any comments about the position of the
New War Memorial to Sam Marchant the Clerk to both Stroud and Langrish Parish Council at:
clerk@langrish-pc.gov.uk . Representations can also be made at LPCs next Parish Council meeting is
on 21st July 2025 at The Cow Shed, Barrow Hill Barns, Ramsdean.

Welcome to Langrish Parish Council 

The Parish of Langrish is relatively young, only becoming an Ecclesiastical  Parish with the building of St. John’s Church in 1871 and thereafter a Civil Parish in 1894.  The Parish comprises 3 villages; Bordean, Langrish and Ramsdean. It has always been a predominantly farming community, although recent farm diversification has enabled different businesses to start up.

There is evidence of Bronze and Iron Age occupation on Butser and Barrow Hill in Ramsdean, and subsequently the earliest recorded building Bordean House in 824 AD in the Winchester County Archives and several cottages in The Domesday Book.  The villages benefit from being in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with exceptional views and footpaths and byways to enjoy.

Langrish Parish Council holds 6 meetings a year. All Parishioners are welcome to attend and the agenda for each meeting is available on this website and on the village noticeboards. In addition to the regular meetings, the Langrish Parish Council also hosts an Annual Parish Assembly. Proposed dates for meetings can be found on this website.