New paving for Rochdale cenotaph

One of the most important parts of Rochdale Memorial Gardens is in line for a makeover, ahead of Remembrance Sunday commemorations later this year.

More than 800 square metres of paving immediately around and behind the Grade I-listed cenotaph will be replaced with high-quality, heritage stone. Extensive repairs to the stone around the sunken gardens will also take place as part of the project.

The work follows the restoration of Town Hall Square and Rochdale Town Hall and will bring the area around the cenotaph up to the same spectacular standard, further enhancing the whole town centre conservation area.

The improvements will also provide a setting fit for the cenotaph, which is one of the most historically significant in the UK, being one of only eight in England, including the one in Whitehall, London to be designed by the famous late architect, Edwin Lutyens.

Middleton based contractors, Groundwork Landscapes, will be delivering the council-funded project. A specialist from the Salford University Centre for applied archaeology will also be on site throughout the work to ensure that any finds of historical significance which may be discovered under the ground are documented and catalogued.

Cenotaphs are also being spruced up in other parts for the borough, with all the lettering on the Heywood Cenotaph being painstakingly repainted by hand, while the covered walkway in Middleton Memorial Gardens is currently being repaired.

Danny Meredith, cabinet member for regeneration at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This cenotaph is a very important part of our town centre, which means a great deal to our community and forms a focal point of this historic area. This project will create a much more fitting frame for this Grade I listed masterpiece and further enhance this stunning part of our town centre, which has improved so much in the last few years.”

The project is part of a wider revamp of this area, which is one of the most historically significant places in Rochdale and has changed beyond all recognition in recent years. Elsewhere in the square, a major lottery and council funded project to redevelop the Broadfield Slopes, just behind Rochdale Town Hall, is also under way.

New footways, lined with trees and planters, will be created at The Slopes, which connect Town Hall Square with the historic St Chad’s Church. The existing pool at the top will be cleaned up and expanded to create an ecological pond that can be used by the local school and community for education. In addition, new lighting and CCTV will make the whole area more welcoming.

The memorial gardens will be closed for around three months from Monday 12 August to enable the work to take place. A path on the far left, which leads to the children’s play area, will remain open, to retain access to the play area and allow people to get from The Esplanade to St Mary’s Gate.