Grantham firm cleans up cenotaph ahead of Remembrance Service

Grimsby’s Cenotaph is being cleaned up in preparation for the Remembrance Service on Sunday, November 10, thanks to a Grantham company.

Staff from Proctor’s Cleaning Services, started work at this week to wash the Norwegian white marble and the granite steps of the monument to The Fallen.

It is estimated the cost of a more permanent solution could exceed £25,000.

The  Grimsby  Cenotaph was originally unveiled at a ceremony on December 8, 1921 and built from white marble.

It was finally recognised as a Grade II listed building on June 20, 1999.

The cenotaph on Nuns Corner was treated as part of a £10,000 National Lottery grant through the Heritage Lottery Fund’s First World War Then and Now programme in time for the centenary to mark the end of the First World War last year.

The war memorial underwent: 

• Memorial repair and refurbishment
• Removal of small bushes
• Cutting back of overgrown trees
• Additional paving laid to provide better viewing opportunities.

Access and viewing areas were improved around the cenotaph for all members of the community, including wheelchair users, who wish to pay their respects.

The restoration team worked with National Citizen Service (NCS) volunteers and students from the Grimsby Institute of Higher and Further Education (GIFHE) to research local information and stories to create an interpretation board.

The board tells the story of the Grimsby Chums and this is now displayed at the Grimsby Cenotaph for visitors to the memorial to view.

An NELC spokesman said: “A specialist contractor is cleaning Grimsby Cenotaph and the area around it this week in preparation for Remembrance Sunday.

“Cleaning is carried out in line with guidance on the conservation, repair and management of war memorials from Historic England and the War Memorials Trust.

“The monument is delicate and special care needs to be taken when cleaning it.”

A Service of Remembrance will be held at Grimsby Minster ahead of a parade along Bargate before wreaths will be placed and two minutes silence held on Sunday, November 10.

Proprietor Martin Proctor said: “It was quite an honour to be chosen to work on this iconic feature.”