If driving up Parkneuk Road, beyond Sydes Brae, you may have noticed that investigation and pre construction works have now started at Auchentibber War Memorial, which is scheduled for a much needed facelift.
South Lanarkshire Council recently permitted the remedial and renovation works to be begin on 20th August 2018. Investigatory works have already been carried out with the main works to the memorial itself scheduled to commence Monday 28th August 2018. The works are being carried out by Covanburn Contracts in partnership with the Conservation Architect Fiona Sinclair.
Joe Connor, Cemeteries Officer for South Lanarkshire Council commented, “The Memorial has been ‘fenced of’ and this will remain until the works are complete. Works will consist of a deconstruct and complete rebuild which should stabilise and secure the Memorial for many years to come. Upon completion we will look to carry out a range of soft landscaping works to enhance the rebuild with all work programmed for completion by the end of October.”
At consultation phase, following a poll by Blantyre Telegraph in December 2016 (on behalf of SLC, Blantyre Community Council, Blantyre Project, local ministers and various other residential stakeholders), people in Blantyre overwhelmingly voted for the World War I memorial to be renovated where it is, rather than completely rebuilt in the nearby Crematorium or elsewhere. The poll findings were supported by our additional report to the Council with residents comments and suggestions. The work in-situ therefore reflects the wishes of many people in Blantyre and was greatly needed due to damage from nearby traffic and previous inadequate repairs.
The war memorial, which was unveiled in May 1923, was built by the people of Auchentibber to mark 14 of their men who died during WW1 conflicts. The marble used was salvaged from the old Hamilton Palace. Remembrance day services are jointly held at this location at the same time as at the Cenotaph War Memorial in High Blantyre Cemetery.
How fitting that this work is being carried out now in 2018, marking 100 years since the end of the First World War. Here’s hoping the repairs greatly prolong the life of the memorial and that the memories of those brave men who sacrificed their lives, will endure indefinitely.
