Stephen Close

The new Ray Lonsdale Boer War statue, with Stephen Close who organised the fundraising campaign for the project.

Veterans to fall in for grand unveiling of new Boer War soldier statue

The new Ray Lonsdale Boer War statue, with Stephen Close who organised the funding of the project.

Date announced for the unveiling of Hartlepool’s Boer War statue

The new Ray Lonsdale Boer War statue on display on Saturday, with Stephen Close (left) who organised the funding for the project, and 1st Battalion Durham Light Infantry Veterans Brian Coward and Frank Peers (right).

Sneak peek of brilliant Boer War statue

From left, Durham Light Infantry veterans Frank Peers and Brian Coward.

Your chance for a sneak preview of Ray Lonsdale's stunning new statue

The statue will go in Hartlepool's Ward Jackson Park. Photo by Paul Levitt.

Plans submitted to install new war memorial in Hartlepool park

The statue will go in Ward Jackson Park in Hartlepool. Photo by Paul Levitt.

Boer War statue complete after £25,000 campaign

Stephen Close in Ray Lonsdale's unit where he got to work on the Boer War statue (right).

Stephen’s hands-on role for town’s new Boer War statue

Boer War statue fundraiser Stephen Close receives a cheque for £500 from Jackie Carroll towards the project in Ward Jackson Park.

More support for park statue fund

The head of the new Boer War statue by sculptor Ray Lonsdale.

Replacement war memorial statue taking shape

Statue fundraiser Stephen Close receives the final donations to reach £25,000 from Jane Rollo, of the Friends of Friends of Ward Jackson Park, and Anne Brown, from the Friends of Hartlepool Wild Green Spaces.

Success as statue campaign meets £25,000 target

Stephen Close outside of Just Blinds in York Road. Picture by FRANK REID

Stephen celebrating 40 years in blind business

Statue fundraiser Stephen Close (left) with Johnny Bates of Clarity Electrical Services at the Boer War memorial in Ward Jackson Park.

Boer War statue fund passes £20,000 milestone

The Boer War memorial plinth in Ward Jackson Park and (right) the design for the replacement statue.

Statue project soldiers on to reach £20,000

Stephen Close with the Healthful Hartlepool poster which sold for £850.

War memorial statue fund tops £18,000

Stephen Close with the fourth Healhful Hartlepool tourism poster that is being sold to raise funds for a new war memorial statue.

Another vintage tourism poster goes on sale in history project

Stephen Close with the second Healthful Hartlepool poster donated to the Boer War statue fund by businessman Owen Corrigan.

Chance to own vintage Hartlepool tourism poster

History enthusiasts who missed out on owning a small piece of Hartlepool history are being given another chance.

Mark Payne

Boer War statue appeal treasurer Stephen Close received £500 from ex DLI soldier Frank Peers.

Old soldier helps statue appeal again with generous donation

Former Hartlepool Mail employee Steve Dawson won the auction for the framed 1906 Hartlepool poster by bidding £800.

£25,000 statue campaign gathering pace

Stephen Close with the original 1906 Healthful Hartlepool poster he is auctioning off.

Original Hartlepool tourism poster set to go under the hammer

Stephen Close, Hartlepol History DVD Charity group treasurer presents a donation of 200 boxes of oats to Rev Andrew Craig of Hartlepool Foodbank.

Donation to Hartlepool food bank stocks

Donna Robinson activities co-ordinator at Dinsdale Lodge in Seaton Carew, a home resident and Stephen Close of the history group with some of their latest dementia friendly gifts.

History group's five years of dementia support

Co-organisers Brian Coward and Peter Brown of the Olde Durhams Social Club alongside DLI members and The JADeS presenting a cheque for £1,275 to Stephen Close.

Social club rallies round for Boer War statue fund

Stephen Close (left) of History of Hartlepool group with Tony Kaid of Cafe Rapport in front of the Boer War plinth in Ward Jackson Park.

Hartlepool business provides latest boost to Boer War statue campaign

Stephen Close with drawings of the proposed replacement Boer War statue hoped for Ward Jackson Park Picture by FRANK REID

Historians' plans to replace soldier statue stolen by scrap thieves 50 years ago...