Residents' plea to restore chapel

An appeal has been launched to restore a historic chapel in the Black Country to its "former glory".

A meeting about Bentley Cemetery Chapel was held by Willenhall Local Neighbourhood Partnership (LNP) on Wednesday evening.

Councillor Ian Shires, who chaired the meeting, said it was derelict to "some extent" but was still "very impressive."

Walsall Council said people's views would be given to the authority.

'Military personnel'

Mr Shires said the chapel was "steeped in Willenhall's history" and there was a "phenomenal level of public interest".

He said: "There are many prominent people from Willenhall's past who are buried there with connections to the lock industry.

"There are also graves in memory of the military personnel killed in both the First and Second World Wars.

"The records also show that 16 victims resulting from two bombing raids over Willenhall are also buried there."

Mr Shires added that on Wednesday the Willenhall LNP backed a resolution from Darlaston LNP and called on the council to do all it could to restore the chapel.

In a statement Councillor Rachel Walker, Walsall Council cabinet member for environment, said: "Bentley chapel is not in an unsafe condition although it has not been used for funeral services for many years.

"We will take people's views back to the council and hope to conclude the consultation process by the end of March 2009."