An Introduction
to our Project:

Horncliffe has subsequently benefitted from an extension and upgrade to the village hall, redevelopment of the children’s play park, rejuvenation of the War memorial, funds towards information boards relating to the restoration of the Union Chainbridge - amongst others.

‘Benchmark at Grinham’s Wood’ aims to recognise Fred and Pirette, as well as the philanthropy of their French relatives via engagement with: - Paths & Benches. Woodland & Wildlife. History & Commemoration. Art & Photography. Health & Wellbeing. The initiative involves a little over two miles of river trail centred on Horncliffe - encompassing a mile up-river, and the mile down-stream.

The ‘Benchmark’ and memorial bench element relates to past members of the community and their involvement (many mere teenagers) in the 2nd World War. Each bench dedicated to the memory of an individual village stalwart with a tablet recording an aspect of their war time story for posterity. The Trustees intention is for the launch to coincide with the ‘80th Anniversary’ of the War’s end.

This feeds into the element of ‘History & Commemoration’ with an additional aim to highlight many of these individuals returned to make their living from salmon fishing via coble and net - hence the desire to commemorate what was previously and at that time, a vital element of the local economy. To be achieved via the ‘Fishing Shiel Memorial’ an installation highlighting what this encompassed.

Promotion of ‘Woodland and Wildlife’: The 25 acres of river bank and Glen above Horncliffe, plus the 25 acres down-stream to the Union Chainbridge - are a haven for wildlife. The memorial benches provide excellent vantage points to watch a diverse array of wildlife from the likes of salmon, otters, kingfishers and a great many other diverse species that frequent our river banks. A further objective involves enhancing the environment by additional tree planting across both areas of the project.

The opportunity for ‘Artists & Photographers’ to record spectacular scenery and wildlife is a further aim and ambition of the ‘Benchmark at Grinham’s Wood’ initiative. The diversity of landscape, terrain and subject provides an ideal situation for those with an artistic bent. A further wish relates to creating opportunities for those producing such works of art - to display and exhibit these.

An additional aspect of the ‘Benchmark’ project is promotion of ‘Health & Wellbeing’. Being out in the fresh air, taking exercise and in an environment that stimulates the brain - is good for one’s soul. A further facet of the initiative relates to ‘A Thought for the Youth of Today & Yesterday’ in relation to those involved in the 2nd World War (as teenagers) and what they encountered during that time.

One’s own troubles and issues may well pale into insignificance when related to their experiences.

Our (the Trustees) hope and wish is that people of all ages and backgrounds are able to draw something positive from the wide array of opportunities ‘Benchmark at Grinham’s Wood’ creates. And spare a thought for Fred, Pirette and their French relatives, along with a previous inspirational generation of Horncliffe village worthy’s - who were the catalyst behind this community initiative.