Grants of £190,000 have been offered in recent months to 21 projects across Scotland, including the iconic Kitchener memorial in Orkney. The awards range from £890 to clean a framed memorial in a hotel in Edinburgh, to several much larger memorials receiving up to £35,000 to carry out vital repairs and conservation work.
Communities are taking inspiration from the commemoration of the centenary of the First World War (1914 – 1918) to ensure their local war memorials are a fitting tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
These grants bring to £528,000 the total amount offered to 67 Scottish war memorials since the scheme was launched by Former First Minister Alex Salmond in 2013. A pot of £1 million was made available for the centenary, in order for communities to repair and restore their own monuments. Communities can still apply for a share of the funds.
Frances Moreton, Director of War Memorials Trust said: “The charity is delighted at the level of interest in this scheme and the enthusiasm of people across the country to do something about the condition of their memorials. There are still plenty of funds available for the right projects so get in touch to see if we can help your local war memorial.”
“I am certain that we can maintain the current momentum to ensure that Scotland’s memorials are in the best possible condition in preparation for the centenary commemoration of the end of World War I. Also, I would like to remind everyone that grants are available to memorials commemorating any conflict – for example, recent grants have supported World War II and Waterloo memorials.”
It is believed that up to 10% of Scotland’s estimated 6,000 war memorials are in either ‘poor’ or ‘very bad’ condition, so there is clearly scope for many more projects to benefit from this grant scheme.
Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund has £1 million available to support the repair and conservation of any war memorial of any type anywhere in Scotland. The scheme was launched in April 2013 and will run through the centenary of World War I. Funded by the Scottish Government and Historic Environment Scotland the scheme is administered by War Memorials Trust.
The war memorial projects supported come from across Scotland and are presented by county:
The Gordon Schools war memorial window, Huntly, Aberdeenshire (WM8458) Grant Offer: £1,390
The security of the glass was at risk as the putty in the window dried out and disappeared. Two pieces of the stained glass are missing from the window. In addition, a number of the copper ties, which hold the lead in place, have become loose causing movement in the window.
The grant funding will support works to scrape out the external cracked cementing and undertake re-cementing which will make the window weatherproof again. The missing pieces of glass will be replaced on a like-for-like basis and the copper ties will be tightened up very slowly to prevent breakages.
Details of memorial can be found at www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/166525
Details of the completed project can be found at www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/?gID=1213
Helensburgh war memorial, Hermitage Park, Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute (WM4557) Grant Offer: £60,000
This category A listed war memorial includes a monument, reflection pool, ironwork gates and a walled garden. Each requires specialist repair and conservation works to address the deterioration of different materials.
The grant funding will support works to re-point and repair stonework on both the monument and the surrounding wall. Additional works to the monument will also include cleaning of the stonework to remove biological growth, soiling and small areas of graffiti. The bronze elements which show signs of corrosion will also be cleaned. Repairs will ensure the reflection pool is watertight whilst the peeling paint and corrosion will be removed from the entrance gate. Repairs to the ironwork will be undertaken before the gates are re-painted.
Details of memorial can be found at www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/116784
Keiss war memorial, Keiss, Caithness (WM8835) Grant Offer: £1,180
The inscription on the memorial is becoming difficult to read due to a build-up of biological growth and soiling behind the lead letters. In addition, some lead letters are missing, and the paint finish on the others is starting to peel off. Surrounding the memorial the ironwork fence has areas of corrosion and peeling paint.
The grant funding will support works to appropriately clean the memorial, re-painting and replacement of missing lead letters. The flaking paint and corrosion will be removed from the fencing which will be re-painted.
Details of memorial can be found at www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/194017
Tullibody Lychgate war memorial, Tullibody, Clackmannanshire (WM5268) Grant Offer: £20,000
The memorial is currently inaccessible to the public as it is considered dangerous. The roof tiles have been removed as many were loose and at risk of falling. The timber structure is suffering from rot and water damage with some elements missing. In addition, the cement pointing is cracking and missing in sections.
The grant funding will support works to repair and conserve the memorial in order that the public can once again visit the memorial. Rotting and missing timbers will be replaced. Stonework will be re-pointed with a lime mortar. The roof tiles will be sorted and those suitable for reuse will be re-fixed and like-for-like replacements will be used where tiles are missing.
Details of memorial can be found at www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/142155
St Anne's Episcopal Church war memorial chapel, Dunbar, East Lothian (WM8894) Grant Offer: £22,670
The war memorial chapel is currently in poor condition. It contains a number of individual war memorials, which are at threat due to issues including water ingress and structural problems with the building.
The grant funding will support extensive works to the chapel building including structural stabilisation, re-pointing, stone repair and replacement works, flooring repairs, plastering and electrical works. On completion of works to secure the fabric of the building are complete, further consideration will be given to the internal memorials.
Details of memorial can be found www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/185154
Caledonian Station Hotel war memorial, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Edinburgh (WM9225) Grant Offer: £890
This memorial was found in a store cupboard in a poor and fragile condition. It has a number of tears, the paper is discoloured and there is some smudging and flanking paint.
The grant funding will support specialist cleaning works. Once the tears have been repaired it will then be remounted into the supporting timber frame to be displayed within the hotel once again.
Details of memorial can be found www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/199429
Canongate war memorial, Canongate, Edinburgh (WM9280) Part of a Grant Offer: £35,190
Exposure to weather has resulted in the corrosion of the bronze plaques.
The grant funding will support works to clean the bronze plaques before a protective wax is applied.
Details of memorial can be found www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/139929
Dalmeny war memorial, Dalmeny, Edinburgh (WM5189) Part of a Grant Offer: £35,190
There is missing or cracked mortar across the memorial and the surrounds. Biological growth on the memorial is holding water onto the surface of the stone. Exposure to weather has also contributed to the corrosion of the bronze plaques.
The grant funding will support works to appropriately clean the stone memorial and bronze plaques. A wax will be applied to the bronze to protect it. The project will also include lifted and re-laying the hard landing will ensure that it is level. Re-point will be carried out in a lime mortar.
Details of memorial can be found www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/71943
Duddingston war memorial, Duddingston, Edinburgh (WM8854) Part of a Grant Offer: £35,190
Due to ground movement there has been some structural damage to the low level wall to one side of the memorial. Mortar in the construction joints and wall is also cracked. The biological build up on the memorial is making the incised inscription more difficult to read.
The grant funding will support works to re-build the section of wall which has been damaged; wider works to re-point the joints will also be undertaken. The memorial will also be appropriately cleaned.
Details of memorial can be found www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/183294
Newhaven war memorial, Newhaven, Edinburgh (WM9281) Part of a Grant Offer: £35,190
The concrete surround to the memorial is extensively cracked and water is getting in causing further damage. The inscription on the memorial plaque is becoming difficult to read as the gold gilding peels off.
The grant funding will support works to replace the concrete surround on a like-for-like basis. To make the inscription easier to read the lettering will be re-gilded.
Details of memorial can be found www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/200853
Ratho war memorial, Ratho, Edinburgh (WM3321) Part of a Grant Offer: £35,190
Biological growth and soiling on the memorial is making the inscription difficult to read. In addition, access to the memorial is uneven as the paving is a trip hazard.
The grant funding will support work to appropriately clean the memorial. Work will also be undertaken to the hard landscaping; this will be lifted and re-laid to ensure that it is level.
Details of memorial can be found www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/149744
Royal Scots Greys war memorial, Princess Gardens, Edinburgh (WM7565) Part of a Grant Offer: £35,190
Extensive bird dropping on the bronze figure is causing damage to the bronze. Weathering has led to other areas of corrosion on the plaques and figure. The stone plinth has a build-up of biological growth and the mortar in the joints is either cracked or missing.
The grant funding will support works to clean the bronze figure and plaques before a protective wax is applied. The stone stonework will be appropriately cleaned and the joints will be re-pointed with a lime mortar.
Details of memorial can be found www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/130559
Scottish American war memorial, Princess Gardens, Edinburgh (WM646) Grant Offer: £1,110
It is recognised that this memorial is currently 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. This professional advice will then be used to decide on the most appropriate works to undertake ensuring that the memorial is conserved for future generations.
Details of memorial can be found at www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/120352
Slateford war memorial, Slateford, Edinburgh (WM4159) Part of a Grant Offer: £35,190
Biological growth and soiling on the memorial is making the inscription more difficult to read. In addition, access to the base of the memorial is limited due to a boundary fence which has no gate. This fence has peeling paint and areas of corrosions.
The grant funding will support work to appropriately clean the memorial. A gate entrance will be constructed from a section of the existing fence so that people can access the memorial. In addition, the flaking paint and corrosion will be removed from the fencing and this will be re-painted.
Details of memorial can be found www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/151022
South Queensferry war memorial, South Queensferry, Edinburgh (WM9282) Part of a Grant Offer: £35,190
Exposure to weather has resulted in the corrosion of the bronze plaques. In addition the stonework surround has cracked or missing mortar in the joints.
The grant funding will support works to clean the bronze plaques before a protective wax is applied. The joints in the stonework surround will be re-pointed with a lime mortar.
Details of memorial can be found www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/200856
Limekilns and Charleston war memorial, Limekilns, Fife (WM6346) Grant Offer: £2,370
When this memorial was unveiled a large bronze sword was mounted on the front elevation. Little is known about what happened to this sword, however today it is missing from the memorial.
The grant funding will support works to replace the missing sword with a replica which has been crafted based on historical photographs and drawings.
Details of memorial can be found at www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/141907
Glasgow Academy war memorial, Glasgow, Glasgow (WM7092) Grant Offer: £10,210
Inappropriate cleaning in the past, along with soiling and the pealing of the existing gilding on the inscription, meant that the inscription become difficult to read. In addition, the joints on the memorial are cracking or missing which is letting water into the memorial. The water is then causing damage to the surrounding stonework.
The grant funding will support works to appropriately clean the memorial and re-gild the incised lettering. A lime mortar will be used to re-point the joints on the memorial and the surrounding hard landscaping will be re-pointed with a lime mortar. Stone repairs will also be undertaken.
Details of memorial can be found at www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/146043
Invergarry war memorial, Invergarry, Highlands (WM8542) Grant Offer: £2,700
The mortar in the joints of the memorial and the retaining wall on either side is largely missing.
The grant funding will support works to re-point the memorial and associated wall to ensure that the stones are held in place.
Details of memorial can be found www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/204192
Kitchener memorial, Marwick Head, Orkney (WM9006) Grant Offer: £30,000
The memorial sits on an exposed cliff edge next to the sea. This location means that the memorial has had to withstand extensive weathering. This has led to the cracking of the mortar within the joints and on the surrounding hard landscaping, which is allowing water to get into the memorial. Over the years there have been some changes to the memorial; the original access has been blocked up preventing current assessment of the condition of the roof. The inscription on the commemorative plaque is also difficult to read as there are lead letters missing.
The grant funding will support works to undertake extensive re-pointing and repairs to the surrounding hard landscape. The original door in the tower will be opened up and a door to match the original fitted. This will allow access into the base of the tower for maintenance purposes. In addition, required repair works will be undertaken at roof level and missing lead letters from the inscription plaque will be replaced on a like-for-like basis.
Details of memorial can be found at www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/190350
Stronsay war memorial, Stronsay, Orkney (WM8000) Grant Offer: £715
The inscriptions of the memorial are becoming more difficult to read as the paint peals. In addition the mortar in the joints and the surrounding hardscaping is cracking which is allowing water into the memorial.
The grant funding will support works to re-point the memorial with a lime mortar and to replace the hard landscaping on a like-for-like basis. The memorial will be appropriately cleaned before the inscriptions are re-painted.
Details of memorial can be found www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/147860
Law war memorial, Law, South Lanarkshire (WM8158) Grant Offer: £1,400
The cement mortar in the construction joints and the surrounding hard landscaping is cracked. The stone at one corner of the granite plinth is cracked and water is getting in causing more damage. In addition, the inscriptions on the memorial are becoming difficult to read as some of the lead letters are missing whilst the paint finish on the others is starting to peel off.
The grant funding will support works to repair the cracked plinth and to repoint the memorial and hard landscaping with a lime mortar. The missing lead letters will be replaced and the inscription will be re-painted so that it can be read easily.
Details of memorial can be found www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/194463
Notes for Editors
- The attached image is to be used to accompany this press release only. If you would like to use it in any other way please contact Michelle Andersson, details below, in the Photo Unit to clear permission.
- Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund has £1 million available to support the repair and conservation of any war memorial of any type anywhere in Scotland. The scheme was launched in April 2013 and will run through the centenary of World War I. Funded by the Scottish Government and Historic Environment Scotland the scheme is administered by War Memorials Trust. For further information visit www.warmemorials.org/grants-Scotland
- War Memorials Trust is an independent registered charity. Established in 1997 due to concerns about neglect and vandalism it works to protect and conserve war memorials. It provides advice, information and administers grants schemes that assist the repair and conservation of war memorials across the UK. As a charity the Trust relies on voluntary contributions to undertake its work. Supporters include annual and life members, donors, charitable trusts and corporate contributors
- War Memorials Trust provides grants that can assist repair and conservation of war memorials. Contact the Conservation Team to discuss eligibility on 020 7233 7356 / 0300 123 0764 or conservation@warmemorials.org or download a Grants Pre-application form from www.warmemorials.org/grants
- War Memorials Trust provides a free advisory service to anyone with a war memorial enquiry. Specialist Conservation Officers are available on 020 7233 7356 / 0300 123 0764 or conservation@warmemorials.org
- Details of grant(s) completed through the Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund can be found on the Trust’s website: www.warmemorials.org/search-grants. The Grants Showcase features all the projects supported by the charity through grants schemes and can be searched by county or area
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