A LANDMARK sign built to “put the heart back into the Wycombe Marsh” will be unveiled by the community's oldest residents during a street party tomorrow.

The Wycombe Marsh Village Sign and community area in Abbey Barn Road will be revealed during a community celebration from 1.45pm on Saturday.

The sign was erected following a campaign by The Heart of Ryemead Community Association – a group founded three years ago by church groups, residents and ward councillors – in a bid to “put the heart back into the community”.

Trevor Snaith, one of the councillors to have pushed for the structure, said the sign is “just the start” in re-establishing the Marsh's identity and community spirit.

He said: “We wanted to get the community feeling back into the Marsh because it has almost become swallowed up by the sprawl of High Wycombe.

“The sign is a way of saying 'this is Wycombe Marsh, this is the centre of our little community' and a way of bringing the community together.

“This is just the first stage. We have to take little steps, especially in these economic times, but we plan to set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme next.

“We are also planning to hold a community street party every year, not sure where or when as yet, and then try and secure land and finances for a community centre.

“Tomorrow's event should be wonderful, a real community celebration, and it should just be the start because HORCA and the church groups are chomping at the bit to get going.”

Tomorrow's ceremony gets under way from 1.45pm with an address from Cllr Peter Cartwright at the Ryemead war memorial followed by a procession to the new landmark.

HORCA chairman Paula Lee will address the gathering before the community's elder statesmen unveil the sign at 2pm.

High Wycombe Town Mayor Jane White will lay a wreath at the new monument, before a song and dedication by Rev. Paul Willis and closing words by Cllr Snaith.

The sign was funded by fund-raising, donations from the Wycombe Local Community Partnership and councillors' funds.