TWO First World War memorials dedicated to soldiers from the West Allen Valley are set to get a new lease of life.

The Carrshield Roll of Honour, which lists the names of 17 pupils from the former school in the village who served in the conflict, is set to be restored by Gary Simpson and Nick Cousin of Heritage Consolidation, based in Greenhead.

The marble roll of honour went into storage when the school closed in the 1960s, but is now on display at St Mark’s Church in Ninebanks in time for the anniversary of the end of the First World War, thanks to some successful fund-raising.

The roll of honour will go on display alongside the memorial for Ninebanks school, which is also set to be restored to its former glory.

Dorothy Summers, a church warden at St Mark’s, said: “The rolls of honour are an important part of the West Allen’s heritage and deserve to be kept in good order and to be seen by all.

“Connections with the past are easily either lost or forgotten, but thanks to the generous support we have been given, this will not happen.

“Now the names will be there for the generations to come.

“We also intend to hold a service, to rededicate both the rolls of honour later on.”

More than £1,000 has been raised by the Whitfield and Ninebanks Parochial Church Council to ensure the restoration of the two rolls of honour.

Contributions were made by the Allendale Co-operative Society, the Gannet Co. (Hexham Courant owner Newsquest's charitable fund) the Sir James Knott Trust and the West Allen Parish Council.

Residents will have the chance to learn more about those named on the rolls of honour at an event on Saturday, September 8, at 2pm in St Mark’s Church.

An exhibition containing personal artefacts from the war, including a bible containing thumb size photos of Tynedale men who went to fight, taken from the Hexham Courant, will also be on display at the church.