Removal of town’s war memorial moves closer

Removal of town’s war memorial moves closer

1 July 2015

WORK to remove the historic war memorial in Ballynahinch town centre could be completed this weekend.

The decaying structure at the top of Main Street is being removed stone by stone, to be replaced by a new granite memorial.

Plans to dismantle the structure have been finalised and the work is taking place over a phased period.

The first stage in the dismantling process will result in the removal of slate panels listing the names of the fallen from the two great wars. Once removed, they will be placed in storage pending their reinstallation on the new memorial. 

Restoration officials have confirmed the granite for the new obelisk has been ordered, with cutting due to begin on its arrival.

The present concrete base will be removed and replaced with granite steps. The plan is for the new memorial to be in place for the town’s annual remembrance service in November.

The campaign to raise funds to pay for the new memorial received another major boost this week with a £4,000 donation from Ballynahinch Congregational Church.

Last week, restoration officials received a £200 donation from Ballynahinch Building Supplies.

The donation from church officials is particularly significant as the members of the 

Congregational Church were involved at the birth of memorial in 1932. Eight decades later, the church is involved in its rebirth.

Former Congregational minister, the Rev Captain Tom Warwick, was one of the moving spirits for the erection of the memorial in the1930s. Two weeks ago, the trustees of the congregation presented the £4,000 cheque to assist with its restoration.

A number of contractors have now volunteered to dismantle the old memorial free of charge, a move the restoration committee has described as a “very welcome development.”

The committee says moving heavy blocks of masonry at height is not straightforward. However, once the necessary safety and insurance documentation are in place, the dismantling work should soon proceed. 

Prime pieces of the redundant masonry are now being claimed as mementos. The 1914-18 and 1939-45 stones at the base of the plinth have been allocated to the Congregational Church, for incorporation in the entrance to their existing War Memorial Hall. 

The matching stones from the other two faces will be retained by the Ballynahinch Branch of the British Legion.

Restoration committee officials say anyone is welcome to claim other pieces, preferably in exchange for a donation. 

The remainder of the dismantled masonry will be given a permanent home at the Montalto estate. Lady Clanwilliam of Montalto chaired the original War Memorial Committee in 1932.