ON May 8, 1915, at the Frezenburg Ridge, Belgium, during the second Battle of Ypres, at least 83 men from Newport died together, with nearly all of them having no known grave.

At some time in the 1920s this event was marked by the planting of a memorial in Belle Vue Park of 8 May trees (hawthorns) and this memorial existed probably until the 1990s but has since disappeared.

For the last year I have been lobbying and campaigning with the help of Cllr Charles Ferris for the reinstallation of this memorial and its trees, as well as a more permanent memorial.

Newport City Council has now agreed in principal to reinstate this memorial and I am awaiting confirmation of this. There are Lottery Heritage grants available, the lowest of which is between £3,000 and £10,000 especially for First World War memorials and those in parks.

However, I need help in applying for this grant because as an individual I cannot apply and need an organisation that can take over, plan and apply for the grant. I have approached two Newport organisations that after their committee meetings declined to take up the application. So Is there any organisation or body prepared to apply to get this memorial reinstated? in memory of those 83 men who died on the 100th anniversary of that day, the day Newport cried. 01633 856235. Shaunmcguire1@aol.com.

Shaun McGuire Mole Close Bettws