WORK to restore the historical Priory Park gates has started.

It is being done to mark 100 years since the park was gifted to Southend by R A Jones, and forms part of the borough’s 125th birthday celebration.

The refurbishment work will be carried out by the end of the summer and will see one gate completely renovated and the replacement of the gatepost lion statues.

Ann Holland, councillor responsible for culture, tourism and the economy, said: “The Priory Park memorial gates are an important part of our history and a visual reminder that the park was given to the borough for the good of the people by R A Jones in 1917, exactly 100 years ago.

“It is fitting to refurbish and restore them to mark this milestone and also 125 years of the borough’s charter. The gates record this great gift.”

Ms Holland hopes the work will conserve the gates for future generations. She added: “This will include replacing the lion statues originally sat atop each gatepost which disappeared in the late 20th Century.

“I am looking forward to seeing the gates in their full glory once again.”

Priory Park Gates form the main entrance to the lovely Priory Park in Prittlewell, the old village which is now a suburb of Southend.

The gates are in Victoria Avenue, at the bottom of the hill and beside the Prittle Brook.

Priory Park contains the medieval Prittlewell Priory, which was bought along with its grounds by the local jeweller and philanthropist Robert Arthur. Jones in 1917, and given to the people of Southend as a public park.

The ornate Priory Park Gates were opened by the Duke of York, later to be George VI, in 1920.

September 19th 2017 is the 125th Anniversary of the borough of Southend. The 125th anniversary celebrations began with the iconic Poppies sculpture, Wave at Barge Pier in Shoebury which ended last month after attracting thousands of visitors.

Throughout the summer the council, backed by the Echo, will be encouraging local community groups and businesses to help us by organising their own events. Celebrations conclude on the pier on September 24 with ‘Silk River”: a creative regional event linking the Thames Estuary with the Hooghly River in Kolkata.