Home / War and Conflict / Historic War Memorial in Richmond Undergoes Vital Restoration
Historic War Memorial in Richmond Undergoes Vital Restoration
24 Oct
Summary
- North Yorkshire Council seeks to clean and repair Richmond's war memorial
- Memorial commemorates 101 WWI and 54 WWII local servicemen
- Repairs aim to remove damaging deposits and preserve inscriptions
In October 2025, North Yorkshire Council is set to undertake a crucial restoration project on the war memorial in Richmond's Friary Gardens. The memorial, which was built in 1921 at a cost of £1,100, commemorates 101 local servicemen who died in World War One and 54 who perished in World War Two.
An inspection conducted last July revealed that the memorial had suffered from open and weathered mortar joints, as well as biological growths like moss, lichen, and pollution crusts on its base and carved ship motif. These issues have trapped moisture and obscured the inscriptions, threatening the long-term conservation of the memorial.
To address these concerns, the council has sought planning permission to carry out sympathetic interventions. The work will involve using hand tools to remove the damaging deposits, repoint the open joints with lime mortar, and undertake limited stone repairs. This approach aims to subtly enhance the legibility of the memorial without altering its character or appearance.
