A war memorial that has stood at the heart of Richmond for more than a century has been restored following specialist conservation work to preserve it for future generations.
North Yorkshire Council has completed repairs and cleaning to the memorial in Friary Gardens, which commemorates 155 local servicemen who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
The monument, unveiled in October 1921, honours 101 men from Richmond who died during the First World War. Following the end of the Second World War, two bronze plaques were added to the retaining wall to remember a further 54 servicemen. The plaques carry the inscription: “They died that we might live.”
The memorial, which stands in front of the historic Grey Friars Tower, also features a carved relief of a three-masted warship.
The restoration programme was commissioned after inspections carried out last year identified a number of issues affecting the monument, including deteriorating mortar joints, cracks in the bronze plaques and biological growth such as moss and lichen on the stonework and carved ship motif.
Specialist conservation work has now been completed on the memorial’s base, steps, plaques and carved relief, helping to halt further deterioration while preserving its historic character.
North Yorkshire Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Gareth Dadd, said the memorial remained an important place of remembrance for the town.
“The memorial in Friary Gardens is an important civic monument that has provided a focal point for community reflection and remembrance for more than a century,” he said.
“These conservation works were integral to ensure it can continue to honour those from the town who made the ultimate sacrifice during two world wars.
“I am pleased that the restoration has been completed, safeguarding the memorial’s future for generations to come.”
The memorial was built during the wave of public commemorations that followed the First World War. With Britain’s war dead buried overseas, communities sought permanent ways to remember those who never returned home.
Lord Zetland donated the land in Friary Gardens and contributed towards the £1,100 cost of constructing the monument.
Richmond councillor Stuart Parsons welcomed the completed work, describing the memorial as “a unique place in Richmond’s history and in the hearts of our local community”.
He said he hoped people would once again be able to read the names of family members “displayed with pride”, adding that he also hoped the nearby Irish Rangers memorial stone could be incorporated into the site in the future.
The condition survey which led to the restoration was carried out by the council’s property consultancy, Align, whose managing director Ron Walton said the repairs had secured the future of an important part of Richmond’s heritage.
Comments are closed.
It is wonderful that North Yorkshire havrestored the war memorial and I know that Richmond will be very grateful.Th sad thing is that they are not able to restore the library in its present position foe the benefit of the present community of our town.