Statue looks angelic again

The figure, which is situated at the West Bromwich attraction, is back to its glorious best after two weeks of painstaking restoration by specialist craftsmen.

Erected in Dartmouth Park in 1923 after the Great War, the memorial is visible above the treeline from the Reform Street bridge leading to West Bromwich town centre.

The £20,000 refurbishment was carried out by Stone Central (NW) Ltd. Specialist workers from the company removed the green verdigris which covered the statue then lacquered the angel, which is around 12ft in height.

The restorers are still working on the stone memorial itself, but the work will be completed and the scaffolding removed a week before Remembrance Sunday so flower beds at the memorial can be planted.

The work will compliment a £6.4 million park restoration project under way in the Victorian park.

Carol Hartill, of the Friends of Dartmouth Park, said: "We have been watching the progress of the restoration of the War Memorial with great interest and have spoken to the various craftsmen involved, who have all been pleased to be part of the project and very happy to discuss the processes they have been using."

Councillor Linda Horton, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: "Craftsmen have cleaned off the green tinge caused by decades of exposure to the elements and coated the figure with a special protective lacquer.

"It is wonderful to see the memorial looking like it's brand new again. We are very proud it will be back to its best in time for this year's Remembrance service."

Heritage Lottery Fund and BIG Lottery awarded £4.4m towards the restoration of the park under the Parks for People Programme.

Sandwell Council is also investing in the project.

Other improvements to be carried out include the restoration of the lakes and the avenue. The fountain will also be restored to working order. It is anticipated work will be completed by the end of 2012.

The memorial is the third to be restored in Sandwell this year.