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<p>In February 2015 the Archbishops of Canterbury and York on behalf of the Church
of England signed a commitment to support the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant. The
Corporate Covenant commits the Church to recognise the need of and care for Armed
Forces personnel, veterans and families in their local communities. More information
about the commitment to the Corporate Covenant can be found at: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/our-views/international-affairs/armed-forces-covenant.aspx"
target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/our-views/international-affairs/armed-forces-covenant.aspx</a></p><p>With
regards to commemoration the Church of England plays a significant role both nationally
and locally during the season of Remembrance. Across the Church most parishes host
memorials to local regiments and provide communities space to mark the contribution
of the armed forces and uniformed organisations. In Newcastle, the magnificent East
End window at St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle, is itself a memorial, installed to
give thanks for the preservation of the building during the Second World War. In this
period of the WWI centenary the Cathedral has worked with the Coldstream Guards to
oversee conservation of their Standards, laid up in the cathedral after WWI. The Church
is also working closely with local schools and community groups to help young people
build understanding the contribution of all those who have served in armed conflict.</p><p>When
considering constructing new memorials the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England
and the Church Buildings Council are able to provide advice to churches. The CFCE
has recently been involved in the commissioning of a significant new memorial at Hereford
Cathedral, designed by John Maine RA, which will be a tribute to former and current
soldiers serving in the SAS. Called <em>Ascension</em> the piece involves a new stained
glass window and linked stone sculpture to provide a place for reflection and hope,
as well as of remembrance. SAS veterans and serving soldiers were closely involved
in its creation.</p><p>The Church Buildings Council has produced a free guide, available
on the ChurchCare website, to help churches considering commissioning new art, of
which memorials would be one type. This is a practical guide aimed at those with no
experience of commissioning art and would be well suited to be used by veterans who
wanted to work with a church to produce a memorial: <a href="http://www.churchcare.co.uk/churches/art-artefacts-conservation/introducing-new-art"
target="_blank">http://www.churchcare.co.uk/churches/art-artefacts-conservation/introducing-new-art</a></p><p>
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