Repairs to go ahead at Austerlands Great War memorial

The Great War memorial at Austerlands

Essential repairs are to be carried out to Oldham’s oldest Great War memorial at Austerlands in advance of Remembrance Sunday, which this year marks the centenary of the monument’s unveiling in August, 1920.

Austerlands resident David Needham explained: “As we intended this year’s Remembrance Service was also to celebrate 100 years since the memorial’s unveiling, we asked Oldham Council if they would clean and repair the monument before the 2020 event.

“Oldham Council’s response was more than positive and earlier this year they commissioned a report from a heritage specialist who produced a comprehensive report with recommendations for restoration of the monument.

"These were adopted by the Council and a provisional budget approved in order that the work could be carried out this year.

“Local people fully supported the recommendations put forward in the report and are grateful that funding for the project has been approved.

“However, because of budget restraints due to the coronavirus pandemic, funding for the proposed restoration has now been reduced.

"Nevertheless, some funds are available for cleaning the flagstones, repairs to the retaining wall and to rebuild a small section and patch pointing as necessary. 

“We do appreciate the reasons why the full cleaning and restoration recommendations cannot be carried out this year and hope  this will take place at a later date when we can then organise an appropriate rededication service. 

"In the meantime our understanding is that the essential repairs will be carried out prior to November 9.

“We remind people there will not be a formal service on Remembrance Sunday, although we may see on the day a small, socially distanced placing of poppy wreathes by the usual three organisations, and normal facilities will be available for the placing of commemorative poppy crosses by individuals.

"This will help keep the promise made at the 1920 unveiling… to keep the memory of the fallen, green and unfading, forever."

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