Memorial Title

Ashbourne Residents

Summary

Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a war memorial sculpture in the Memorial Park at Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

Images

		Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image. Further images may be available on request.

Locations

Last known location: Memorial Park Park Rd (A515) Ashbourne Derbyshire	Nearest postcode: DE6 1EJ NGR: SK 18210 46823 ±5m (Map opens in new window.)	Location details: The main entrance to the park is at the junction of Park Rd (A515) and Cokayne Ave. The sculpture is just inside the entrance, on the left.

Previous location: Memorial Park Park Rd (A515) Ashbourne Derbyshire	Nearest postcode: DE6 1EJ NGR: SK 18218 46825 ±5m (Map opens in new window.)	Location details: The main entrance to the park is at the junction of Park Rd (A515) and Cokayne Ave. The sculpture was inside the entrance, about 8m away from the later position.

Type

Overall type: Sculpture

Overall condition: Good. The inscription is legible and the memorial is cared for.

Description:

A galvanised steel sculpture originally comprising a poppy accompanied by a metal ribbon bearing an inscription in raised upright capital roman lettering. These were mounted on a metal frame on a concrete base which also bore an oblong stainless steel plaque bearing a further inscription in upright capital roman lettering. Subsequently the poppy was painted red with a black centre, the ribbon was painted black and the lettering gold, and a leaf was added and painted green. The memorial was repositioned about 8m southwest of its original position and incorporated into a flower bed.

Glossary

Components:

Component	Material	Height	Width	Depth	Condition
Poppy	Galvanised steel	120	620	dia	Good
Ribbon	Galvanised steel	90	950	230	Good
Leaf	Galvanised steel	90	300	300	Good
Frame	Metal	290	290	290	Good
Base	Concrete	240	420	590	Good
Plaque	Stainless steel	100	200	2	Good
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.

Inscription

Ribbon:

Conflicts and people named:
Conflict	Non-specific conflicts	Totals
Action or event	None stated
Number died	0	0
Number served and returned	0	0
Total names	0	0

LEST WE FORGET

Plaque:

TO COMMEMORATE
ASHBOURNE RESIDENTS
WHO HAVE SERVED
IN CONFLICT

Administration

Custodian: Ashbourne Town Council in association with the Ashbourne Branch of the Royal British Legion.

Local authorities:
From 1974: Ashbourne Town Council; Derbyshire Dales District Council; Derbyshire County Council.

History and Conservation

c2019: The sculpture was commissioned by Ashbourne Town Council. It was made in Ashbourne and originally placed in the park, just left of the gate.

22nd April, 2020: The memorial was surveyed by Alan Willmot. It was in good condition and cared for.

Spring 2021: With the agreement of the town council, the memorial was removed by members of the Royal British Legion who painted it and added the leaf.

May, 2021: A dispute arose between the town council and the RBL branch regarding the amount of black paint on the poppy, and the addition of the leaf.

June, 2021: The dispute was settled: the memorial was gifted to the RBL but the council undertook to maintain and insure it.

1st August, 2021: The memorial was surveyed by Roy Branson and Anne Branson. It was in good condition and cared for.

References

Ashbourne News Telegraph; 26th May, 2021: A report on the dispute between the town council and the RBL
Ibid; 23rd June, 2021: A report on the resolution of the dispute.
Derby Telegraph;7th June, 2021; p14 col2: A reader's letter regarding the alterations to the memorial.

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