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Angel’s £40K transformation

Jeni Harvey
9/11/2006

AN ANGEL descended on Blackley last week as part of a £40,000 restoration project which will see an historic war memorial brought back to life.

The Blackley Angel which stands in Boggart Hole Clough, is being lovingly restored to its former glory in time for this year's Remembrance commemorations.

The memorial was built in memory of 341 men and women of the town who died in the first world war and was unveiled in 1921.

The tall pillar is made of sandstone and includes a winged victor holding a wreath and standing on a globe.

The main inscription is carved on to the front of the column with rolls of honour on bronze panels attached to the three remaining sides.

Originally there were four sculptures on low stone pillars at the corner, representing Army, Navy, Air Force and Nursing, but these have since been lost.

Over the years the sandstone plinth has become badly chipped with some graffiti scrawled on it. Parts of the Angel's wing and plaques are corroded and much of the inscription has become illegible.

Structural movement in the memorial has also caused gaps and mortar loss as well as biological growth.

The restoration project is now underway to clean off the growth. Stonework and corners will be replaced and inscriptions sharpened so that they can be read again.

Broken flagstones around the memorial will also be reset or replaced, growth removed and some drainage improved to prevent further splash back.

Some of the grassed area will be replaced with stone chips.

The bronze angel and panels were removed in September and taken to the National Conservation Centre in Liverpool for cleaning restoration and lacquering to prevent future corrosion.

On Thursday they were returned to be reunited with the memorial.

The Angel was carefully lifted into place and the plaques will be rebedded with appropriate historic lime mortar.

The remaining work will be completed in time for the Remembrance Sunday commemoration on 12 November.

Cllr Mark Hackett, executive member for culture and leisure said: "We are pleased to have the expertise of many talented people to help restore this angel so that it will continue to be a tribute to those who died in both world wars. And it is playing a further step in maintaining and developing Boggart Hole Clough as a truly magnificent asset to the people of North Manchester."