Ledbury councillors were delighted to see the “splendid” restoration of the town’s war memorial completed in time for the Remembrance weekend.

Work to repair a previous failed restoration of the Grade II listed memorial got underway in July and was finished ready for Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday last weekend (November 11-12).

A previous repair job took place in 2020 following a £30,000 donation from former Lancaster bomber Stuart Heaton - but cracks and green mould became visible around the base of the monument after just a few months.

Ledbury Reporter: A display of poppies on the Almshouses acted as a backdrop to the war memorialA display of poppies on the Almshouses acted as a backdrop to the war memorial (Image: Ledbury Town Council)

Ledbury has waited a while to see the memorial back to its former glory - but it appears to have been worth the wait.

County councillor Liz Harvey said: “I am pleased to see it finished. The re-gilded flame atop the spire looks splendid and the work done to implement the original design for the unobtrusive drainage slots and to fit the memorial base flush with the pavement flagstones looks very smart. 

“I’d like to thank Mr Heaton for his generous donation to the town in paying for the work, and to everyone involved in securing the delivery of the restoration, as originally conceived.”

Cllr Stef Simmons wasn’t at the service in Ledbury as she was attending the Act of Remembrance in Hereford in her role of vice chair of Herefordshire Council.

Ledbury Reporter: Cadets during the Remembrance Day paradeCadets during the Remembrance Day parade (Image: Camilla Homer)

She said: “I am however thrilled to see the work completed on time.

“The town clerk worked tirelessly to ensure all the necessary permissions and schedules for works on this Grade II listed monument were in place.

“It was wonderful to see the crocheted poppies cascading from the Almshouses as a backdrop and I am reliably informed that it was a fantastically well organised parade with foot perfect drill from the cadets, service personnel and veterans present.”

Town councillor Tony Bradford said he thought the memorial looked brilliant.

Ledbury Maritime Cadets, who marched in front of the memorial on Sunday, said they were happy to see it finished in time, adding “it looked fantastic”.

Ledbury Town Council said it would like to thank Ian Bishop and his team, and Caroe and Partners for their expertise and dedication to making sure the war memorial was restored to such a high standard.