The Friends of the Nicholson War Memorial will officially open the building up to the general public on the 8th of February, after the completion of the repair and restoration last year.

The Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire Mr Prakesh Samani and the Mayor of Leek Councillor Barry Cowie assisted by pupils from Blackshaw Moor First School will be the first visitors to have the benefit of a structured guided tour.

A team of volunteer tour guides have received training from the HLF activity coordinator Laura Wigg-Bailey and are all looking forward to sharing their newly acquired knowledge with visitors to the site. Informative interpretation panels have been installed showing images on topics including the Nicholson family, uses of the site, the Leek Battery and the recent restoration.

In March an external information panel stand will be installed and a self guide leaflet will be available from collection points in the town. The self guide together with an audio tour will be available to download from the website www.nicholsonmemorial.org.uk

Schools and community groups are encouraged to book tours via the website.

The Chairman of the Friends of the Nicholson War Memorial Councillor John Povey said "we aim to have a full range of interpretation methods that will support visitors in their understanding of the site. Laura and the team have done an excellent job in preparing these materials. The latest digital technology is being utilised with QR codes providing links to data on the internet. A virtual tour can be found on the website there really is a method of interpretation for everyone"

Pupils from Blackshaw Moor First School have been studying war and Remembrance in their lessons. The visit to the Nicholson War Memorial compliments their studies and gives access to material about the Fallen of Leek and District and the Memorial that will forever bear their name. Students from the hub at Leek College will film the event and place it on You Tube.

It is almost 102 years to the week that Sir Arthur Nicholson registered his armorial bearings with the Chester College of Arms on the 4th February 1910 which can be seen on the Memorial and new interpretation material.

The Memorial is open for public tours on the third Saturday of the month February to November 10.00am to 1.00pm (last tour 12.20pm) guided tours commencing every twenty minutes, lasting thirty five minutes.

In January 2008 the Leek Town Council website was originally launched, which provides informaton on the services provided by the Town Council, details of forthcoming town events and information about the many local active community groups, such as the Leek Twinning Committee.

The website has?now undergone an update and makeover.

Content such as events, agendas, and minutes will be updated?shortly.??For further information, contact Julie Taylor.

To see how you can get involved in the meetings of Leek Town Council, please refer to the Calendar of Meetings, or to contact a councillor directly, go to the Leek Town Councillors' page, where the details of the twelve town councillors can be found.