Signed guitar helps raise cash for war memorial fund (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Signed guitar helps raise cash for war memorial fund

12:30pm Saturday 24th November 2012 in News

A GUITAR signed by music legend Paul Weller has raised nearly £500 towards a dedicated war memorial for Bromsgrove.

He signed the scratch-plate of the instrument which was then mounted and framed to be raffled off to customers at The Hop Pole in Birmingham Road.

Punters at the live music venue paid £5 per ticket and raised a grand total of £495.

Landlord Peter Hedges said: “There was a lot of interest, as you can imagine, because many people are big fans of Paul Weller and we were only glad to help out as it is for a very worthy cause.”

Almost £25,000 of the £50,000 needed to complete the project has already been raised and Bromsgrove District Council has said the authority would meet any shortfall in funding the project, up to £20,000, from its working balances.

Members of Bromsgrove District Council’s planning committee approved the design at a meeting on October 15 and work is expected to start on erecting the four metre portland stone celtic cross in Crown Close in the new year.

Ian Riley, secretary of Bromsgrove Armed Forces Memorial Fund, which has organised the appeal, said: “It’s a fantastic effort by everyone concerned at The Hop Pole and we are extremely grateful for their support.”