‘This project was never simply about cleaning stone or restoring bronze’
Hull’s war memorials have been restored.(Image: Hull City Council)
The grandson of a war veteran has described how restoring Hull’s war memorials has given him the greatest honour of his professional career. Joel Haigh runs Fresh Memory Headstone Cleaning and Restoration Service, a specialist restoration business created to conserve cherished memorials.
He was enlisted by Hull City Council to carry out a delicate clean of the Paragon Square War Memorial and the Boer War Memorial, in the city centre, ultimately transforming their appearance. Now, having completed the works, Joel has told how the project represents so much more than a simple cleaning programme.
Joel took on the project in memory of his late grandad, Len Wooldridge, who was part of the second wave that landed on Sword Beach on D-Day in June 1944, while serving with the Army Survey Regiment.
He said: “From my very first day on site, I understood that this project was never simply about cleaning stone or restoring bronze. It was about preserving the memory of the men and women whose sacrifice shaped the freedoms we enjoy today. Every name carved into those memorials represents a life, a family and a story that deserves to be remembered with dignity and respect.
“Knowing that I have played a small part in preserving such important landmarks for the people of Hull is something that fills me with immense pride. I would like to thank Hull City Council for placing their trust in Fresh Memory Headstone Cleaning and Restoration Service, and everyone who supported the project from beginning to end.
“I hope that, somewhere, my grandad would be proud to know that his grandson was entrusted with caring for a memorial dedicated to the very generation he served beside. For me, there could be no greater honour than that.”
Due to the age and the delicate material the memorials are made from, only a gentle, non-abrasive conservation cleaning method has been used, which will help protect the stone and the engraved lettering for years to come. Following completion of the conservation cleaning, Hull City Council has contracted Hull-based PBS Construction to carry out a second phase of improvement works.
Work will include repairs to the paving units around the memorials and is estimated to take around three weeks to complete. To ensure the contractor can work safely and efficiently, the memorials and surrounding seating area will continue to be temporarily fenced off.
Cllr Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure at Hull City Council said: “The war memorials in Paragon Square are not just historically significant but are a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served their country. The specialist conservation work carried out by Joel and his team has transformed the appearance of these memorials. We are delighted with the results and grateful for the care and dedication that has gone into this project.
“As we move into the next phase of works, we’re investing not only in the memorials themselves but in the wider setting around them, helping to create a clean space for remembrance and reflection.”
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