South Holland District Council: War memorials to undergo renovation

Two war memorials in Spalding are set to undergo much-needed renovation and restoration work.

South Holland District Council will soon begin work on its World War I memorial, as well as its more recent World War II memorial, both located in Ayscoughfee Gardens on Churchgate.

Unveiled in 1922, the World War I memorial was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. However, it has recently faced reports of crumbling stonework due to standing water. In front it lies a Stone of Remembrance and a formal sunken pool.

The World War II memorial was added much more recently, within the last decade.

During a full council meeting on Wednesday evening, Councillor Elizabeth Sneath (Conservative), portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing, Conservation, and Heritage, announced that the work would be carried out over the coming months and is expected to be completed early next year.

The renovation will include repainting the names listed on both memorials to improve readability, as well as making “sympathetic” repairs to the wall and pillars of the World War I memorial.

Cllr Sneath added: “We’re planning to carry out this work over the next few months and it should be completed by early next year.”