The war memorials in Oldham Town Centre and Crompton have had their historic significance boosted.
Historic England now consider the two landmarks as ‘particularly important structures of more than special interest’ and have upgraded them from Grade II to Grade II* listed.
In 2013 Oldham War Memorial – originally sculpted by Albert Toft and unveiled in 1923 – was refurbished by the council and the Oldham Liaison of Ex Service Associations after a financial contribution of £30,000 was secured from the War Memorials Trust. Student volunteers from Oldham Technical College also helped out with the project.
The sculpture occupies a prominent position in Oldham’s historic town centre and has a strong visual relationship with several listed buildings, principally the parish Church of St Mary and St Peter, listed Grade II*, and the old Town Hall opposite, listed Grade II.
Crompton War Memorial, in the Memorial Gardens in High Street, was sculpted by Captain Richard Reginald Goulden and was unveiled in April 1923. It has recently undergone extensive refurbishment work.
Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, said: “We are delighted these two important and historic war memorials have received further recognition from Historic England.
“Our war memorials are extremely important to residents as a reminder of all those people from the borough who sacrificed their lives for this country.I’d like to congratulate the council staff and volunteers who continue to maintain and look after our memorials – they deserve huge credit.”
Over the last few years the council has carried out £50,000 worth of works to make our 16 war memorials safer and more accessible to the public.
The borough now has 13 Grade II* structures/facilities.
