8 war memorials across Scotland have been awarded a total of £87k for repairs. The announcement coincides with the commemorations for the centenary of the beginning of the Battle of Verdun – one of the longest and bloodiest conflicts of the First World War.
The recipients are located from across the country, with awards going to memorials in Barra, Falkirk, Orkney, Cowie, Strathblane, and East Dunbartonshire. The size of grant ranges from just over £48k for significant repairs to a large archway in Kirkintilloch, to £750 for the provision of professional advice to understand the complexities of works required before starting the full conservation of a war memorial.
Although the money isn’t exclusively for the repair of First World War memorials, communities are taking inspiration from the commemoration of the centenary to ensure their local war memorials are a fitting tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The grants have been awarded via the Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund which is funded by the Scottish Government and Historic Environment Scotland and administered by War Memorials Trust.
Frances Moreton, Director of War Memorials Trust said: “It is wonderful that since the Fund launched in 2013 communities across Scotland have received funding to support the repair and conservation of their local war memorials. Over 70 memorials have benefitted so far but hundreds of memorials across Scotland remain in Poor or Very bad condition. With funding still available we hope that many more repair and conservation projects will emerge.
“If you have a war memorial concern, please get in touch to see how we can help. The centenary of World War I really is a unique opportunity to secure the preservation of our shared war memorial heritage for future generations.”
These grants bring to £617k the total amount offered to 73 Scottish war memorials since the scheme was launched by Former First Minister Alex Salmond in 2013. With a pot of £1 million made available through the centenary, communities can still apply for a share of the funds to repair and conserve their own monuments.
List of recipients
Cowie war memorial, Cowie, Stirlingshire (WM9435) Grant Offer:£1,530
The cladding on the base plinth of the memorial has fallen off the memorial, leaving the memorial in poor condition.
The grant funding will support the removal of the unsuitable cladding material and the replacement with a suitable stone.
Details of memorial can be found at www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/147964
Duke of Wellington memorial, Falkirk, Falkirk (WM8995) Grant Offer: £750
It is recognised that the memorial is in poor condition and in need of repair and conservation works. The memorial has a number of complex issues which need to be better understood prior to undertaking work.
The grant funding will support a conservation-accredited architect to undertake a detailed conservation report on the memorial. The professional advice will then be used to decide on the most appropriate works to undertake ensuring the memorial is conserved for future generations.
Details of memorial can be found at www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/190183
Falkirk Boer War memorial, Falkirk, Falkirk (WM8986) Grant Offer:£750
It is recognised that the memorial is in poor condition and in need of specialist conservation works.
The grant funding will support a conservation-accredited architect to undertake a detailed conservation report on the memorial. The professional advice will then be used to decide on the most appropriate works to undertake ensuring the memorial is conserved for future generations.
Details of memorial can be found at www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/189547
Barra and Vatersay war memorial, Castlebay, Isle of Barra (WM7586) Grant Offer: £2,080
The access to the memorial is in poor condition making difficult for some people to visit the memorial.
The grant funding will support the like for like replacement of the damaged handrails along with the installation of a new section of handrail. In addition the damaged paving surface will be repaired. Sections beyond repair will be replaced on a like for like basis.
Details of memorial can be found at: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/133394
Kirkintilloch war memorial, Peel Park, East Dunbartonshire (WM5792) Grant Offer: £48,220
Exposure to the weather has led to the corrosion of the memorials bronze plaques and ironwork gates. In addition the mortar joints of the stonework cladding are missing. This has led to areas of the cladding to become loose and damaged.
The grant funding will support extensive repair works to the memorial. The bronze plaques will be cleaned and treated with a projective wax. The ironwork gates will be repaired before being re-painted. Loose cladding will be secured, before the whole memorial will be repointed with a lime mortar.
Details of memorial can be found at: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/152842
Campsie war memorial, Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire (WM8415) Grant Offer: £26,750
Sections of the stonework arch are in poor condition. The construction joints are either cracked or missing. Water is also being held on the surface of the stone by biological growth. In addition the ironwork gates showing signs of corrosion due to exposure to the weather.
The grant funding will support work to the suitable cleaning of the memorial. The ironwork gates will be repaired and re-painted. Sections of damaged stonework will be repaired and some small sections will be replaced on a like for like basis. The memorial will be re-pointed with a lime mortar.
Details of memorial can be found at: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/165084
Longhope war memorial, Longhope, Orkney (WM8030) Grant Offer: £4,130
When conservation works were undertake to the memorial in 2015, it was discovered that the top cross section of the memorial was not structurally sound.
The grant funding will support carefully taking down of the top section of the memorial to allow for the replacement of a corroded structural support. The memorial will then be re-built and the joints will be re-pointed with a lime mortar.
Details of memorial can be found at: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/151189
Strathblane and Blanefield war memorial, Strathblane, Stirlingshire (WM4935) Grant Offer:£2,410
Sections of the inscription are getting more difficult to read. This is due both to biological growth and the condition of the stone. The uneven paving is making access harder for some people. The mortar joints on the memorial and the boundary wall has either cracked or missing mortar joints.
The grant funding will support suitable cleaning of the memorial. Sections of the incised inscription in poor condition will be deepened and sharped making the letters easier to read. The memorial and the boundary wall will be re-pointed with a lime mortar. In addition the access path to the memorial will be lifted and re-laid.
Details of memorials can be found at: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/68279
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