13th May 2010 Broadstone War Memorial Report

(For previous reports, click here)

View of War Memorial before and after

I first started writing and e-mailing the Council in April 2007 [three years ago] about the state of the War Memorial and the fact that there was once a view out across Poole Harbour and the Purbecks. It wasn't until November 2008 it was decided that I should take this on as a project on behalf of the BRA.

It has taken until now to be able to tell you that it is possible to see the Purbecks and the water of Poole Harbour whilst standing at the Memorial, although when in full left the trees will still interfere with the view to a certain extent.

Despite being told by a few people that this would never be done, as it meant cutting down trees, I had the support of a lot of residents and users of the rec. Unfortunately I didn't receive any support from the British Legion, much to my disappointment. They have, however, now written to thank me for seeing the project through.

As those of you who have been to the rec will know, an enormous amount of work has been done in clearing not only the view, but the scrub and self seeded holly etc from all around the cricket field. With regular maintenance the recreation ground should now be an even more pleasant place to pass the time. Cllr Brooke will no doubt tell you all more about The Dell later.

With regard to the cleaning of the Memorial -

I have been in touch with Lucy Giles-Townsend [Parks Officer of the Borough of Poole] who in turn has been in touch with Hazel Brushett, Urban Design and Conservation Officer.

View from War Memorial - before and after

Hazel says that "Cleaning could be appropriate prior to applying a shelter coating, so that the lime will stick more efficiently ... cleaning, even if done carefully would itself cause some damage. Monitoring to see the rate of decay may be appropriate and if the decay is becoming more rapid then shelter coating may be appropriate in future. Shelter coating is in essence a temporary measure, and would need repeating at regular intervals to be effective." This is as near an answer as will get on this subject for now.

The two small shrub borders behind the Memorial have been planted with shrubs which will be in keeping with the rest of the park and give a dark green back drop to the memorial, in addition to the existing laurel hedge. Margo Teasdale had informed Lucy that this was a factor in the original planting scheme as designed by Gilbert Bayes. The plants used are Dwarf Rhododendrons, Pieris, Evergreen Azaleas, Camellias and Skimmia. It looks very much better now.

A memorial stone saying that the sculpture was done by Gilbert Bayes is due to be set into the ground in front of the memorial in the very near future. The slab will be of slate to match the name plates on the memorial itself. Richard Nicholson kindly included me in the decisions regarding this.

Richard has also promised a finger post at the Ridgeway gate pointing to the Memorial.

I would like to thank Richard Nicholson, Phillip Sinclair and Lucy Giles-Townsend for all their help and support through this project, as well as all the Residents who wrote to me, and of course BRA.

Jill Floyd