Walsall Cenotaph to look as good as new again
‘It will look as good as new again’ – those as the words of a site manager as work to restore an historic cenotaph gathers pace.
The monument in Walsall town centre is at the centre of a five-week refurbishment project.
Having been unveiled in 1921, the stone cenotaph has changed in appearance, taking on moss and pollution.
Stones have also suffered weather damage. In response, work started this month to carry out specialist cleaning of the memorial. Masons have also been brought in to repoint and reshape stones.
It is being carried out by Midland Conservation.
Site manager Ron Graham said: “We’re pleased with how the work is going so far, it is making a real difference.
“The cenotaph, it will look as good as new again.”
The company is under pressure to have the work done by the end of this month, ahead of preparations for Remembrance Day events.
Mr Graham said: “We are going to be here for two to three weeks more. We need to be out in time for the memorial events on November 11.
“It has been nice because many people have been coming up to us saying how much they like what we’ve done so far.”
As well as work being carried out to the stonework, the project will also see the cleaning of a bronze plaque and flag pole.
A new Union Jack flag will be purchased ahead of the completion of work.
When built, the cenotaph was designed by H N Martyn & CO Ltd of Cheltenham and cost around £2,000.
The cenotaph stands on the site where a bomb from the famous Black Country Zeppelin Raids of January 1916 struck.
Before the cenotaph was put in its place, £150 was spent on the surrounding area so that it would be suitable to host the monument.
