Council fails to pledge funds...

Kyt · Oct 29, 2008

....to restore Southampton Cenotaph :frusty:

Council fails to pledge funds to restore Southampton Cenotaph (From Daily Echo)

IT’S a roll of honour that was supposed to immortalise the fallen heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country during the First World War.

Yet nearly 90 years of weathering has faded many of the 1,997 names on Southampton’s Cenotaph as the limestone memorial has dissolved.

A condition survey has revealed the memorial in Watt’s Park is in need of repair work costing £300,000 to make sure each of the names do not disappear forever.

The Royal British Legion has called the work “vital” but last night council chiefs, who are responsible for the Cenotaph, refused to pledge the cash or say when the work would be done.

The Portland stone memorial, which was unveiled and dedicated on November 6 1920, was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and was the original to the one in Whitehall.

Two plinths were later added to commemorate all those that died in the Second World War.

It bears the words of Rudyard Kipling: “Their names liveth for evermore.”

Dr Andy Russel, the city council’s archaeology unit manager, warned: “They are not going to if we don’t do something. The names will gradually continue to go.”

He said it was now down to councillors to decide what to do with the survey which suggested each of the names be re-engraved, at a cost of about £7 a letter, alongside re-pointing and cleaning.

The survey was carried out by Taylor Pearce restoration, the firm that looks after the Whitehall Cenotaph, after complaints from the public.

“It’s a very visible monument and it’s a personal thing for a lot of people in Southampton,” Dr Russel said.

The Cenotaph was paid for by donations made by local businesses and private individuals.

The council spends around £5,000 a year on its upkeep, and it is cleaned before each Remembrance Sunday.

Archie Parsons, secretary of the Southampton branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “It’s part of the heritage of Southampton. Those guys gave their lives for the country.

“We all know it’s difficult in the current economic climate, but it’s absolutely vital the work is done as soon as possible. It’s so important those names are remembered and persevered.”

He added: “Some of the names are in quite a bad state. It must be very upsetting for the descendants of people whose names are on there.

“Surely they can do something, at least in the short-term to partially restore it.

“I would love to see some sort of commitment from the city council to say they will make funding available in each financial year until its in pristine condition.”

Cabinet member for culture Councillor John Hannides said: “Our first priority is to maintain it and where possible to make improvements.

“We are very keen to do what we can within the constraints of funding we have.”

Cllr Hannides insisted: “I don’t think it’s a lack of commitment. What I’m saying is we haven’t had time to look at the budget and identify the sources of funding, over what time it can be done, and how much to commit to it.”

The other council maintained memorial in Bassett is made of granite and in good repair.

The memorial in Southampton’s Hollybrook Cemetery, off Tremona Road, commemorates by name almost 1,900 Commonwealth servicemen whose graves are not known. It is funded by the War Graves Commission.
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Daily Echo | Southampton Cenotaph Roll of Honour

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