TO MARK the centenary of the end of the First World War, Basingstoke will get its own Peace Garden as a lasting celebration of those who served from the town.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has been supporting the Peace Garden Advisory Group, made up of local volunteers, since 2014 to develop a plan to create a community garden in War Memorial Park.

Funding for the garden will be from the borough council’s Local Infrastructure Fund (LIF).

The LIF grant will provide £40,000 towards the project, to supplement the £23,667 already received for the project from developer contributions and public donations, which will allow work to start on the garden.

A circular paved space with a water feature and seating for relaxation and contemplation is proposed, surrounded by newly-planted trees, foliage and flowers, in the corner of the park close to the aviary.

The centenary of the end of the First World War will be marked on Sunday, 11 November, with the garden set to open in time to commemorate International Day of Peace on Friday, 21 September.

Cabinet member for finance, service delivery and improvement, Cllr Robert Tate, said: “We are delighted that Basingstoke’s Peace Garden will be going ahead. The War Memorial Park will provide a perfect setting for such a garden, which will complement the existing landscape and facilities within the park.

“The project has attracted great support from local organisations and individuals and provides a focus for on-going community celebration of peace and reconciliation.

“I look forward to the borough marking International Day of Peace on September 21 with the opening of the Peace Garden. It will then be ready in time for the commemoration of the end of the First World War in November.”

The Rooksdown Club is donating £5,000 to the garden and is commissioning a sculptured bust to commemorate the work of Sir Harold Gillies, who pioneered facial plastic surgery for wounded servicemen during both world wars, which will be placed in the garden.

Sir Harold was based at Rooksdown House, part of Park Prewett Hospital in Basingstoke, where he operated on injured soldiers and trained other doctors in plastic surgery.

John Lewis Partnership has also donated £885 through its Community Matters scheme where customers of the Basingstoke store vote for their favourite community project.