War memorial restoration plan praised (From Echo)

War memorial restoration plan praised

7:00pm Thursday 24th January 2013 in News By David Trayner

VETERANS, the Royal British Legion and a former mayor have praised plans for a £120,000 restoration of Southend’s war memorials.

Southend Council has set aside funds to repair and preserve the borough’s main cenotaphs in time for the centenary of the First World War next year.

The council wants to repair the stone and preserve the inscriptions on the town’s main memorials, particularly in Cliff Gardens and in Shoebury, with a protective coating after damage from acid rain and the salty sea air.

Jill Stone, secretary of Westcliff Royal British Legion, the borough’s principle branch, said: “It’s a good idea because quite often they get left to rack and ruin.

“We need to remember these people who gave their lives for us.”

A survey of the cliff top cenotaph has shown small crevices and pores in its limestone have been exposed, which will cause faster deterioration.

Robert MacAllister, 53, who served with the Royal Irish Rangers in Northern Ireland, Germany and Belgium between 1979 and 1981, said: “It’s a very good idea because some of them are getting worn and dilapidated.”