PRIMARY pupils learnt about the men from their village who fought in the First World War – and then raised money for a project for a new memorial.

Children at Mitcheldean Primary School made cakes, biscuits and jam, and created poppy calendars and brooches which raised nearly £400 for the project.

Sculptor Carrie Horwood is making the memorial from Forest of Dean stone.

The project to replace the current memorial was started by Mitcheldean Parish Council and its Chair, Cllr Jackie Fraser, went to the school on Friday (January 17) with Carrie to receive the cheque.

Cllr Fraser told the Year Six pupils: “What you’ve done is amazing.

“All the councillors on Mitcheldean Parish Council are thankful to you.”

Carrie, who has a studio at Taurus Crafts in Lydney, has designed the stone, which will honour the men of Mit-cheldean and Abenhall who died in the two world wars.

It is hoped the stone, which is eight feet tall by four feet wide, will be in place in Cross Gardens, Mitcheldean, in time for this year’s Remembrance services.

During their studies, the children investigated the life of local doctor’s son Cyril Searancke.

Lieutenant Searancke died aged 28 in April 1916 when HMS Russell was sunk by a mine off Malta.

Head girl Charlotte Jones said: “We learnt a lot about the war and that people served their country.”

School deputy head boy Dylan Davies add- ed: “We went over to the church to look at the war memorial and we could barely see some of the names.

“We think it is important that they are remembered.”