War memorials get listed status

The memorial reflects the stone-working traditions of the locality

Seventeen war memorials have been granted listed status after consideration by English Heritage and the culture secretary Ben Bradshaw.

One in Hartington, Derbyshire, consists of just five limestone boulders.

The memorials have been given listed status by the government ahead of Armistice Day.

Other newly listed structures include the Boer War Memorial, Hastings and St Cuthbert's Lychgate memorial in Allendale, Northumberland.

NEWLY LISTED MEMORIALS Hartington, Derbyshire Rode, Somerset Freshford, Avon Allendale, Northumberland The Boer War Memorial, Hastings Stanwel War Memorial, Middlesex Binstead and Havenstreet War Shrine, Isle of Wight Sheerness War Memorial, Sheerness Severalls Park Avenue, Crewkerne Boundy's Cross, North Devon Dunton Bassett, Leicestershire Holmwood, Surrey Bildeston, Suffolk Heaton Mersey, Stockport Memorial Gardens, Stockport Main Street, Berwick Upon Tweed Huntley, Forest of Dean

The unusual memorial in Hartington is believed to have been erected in 1924.

"The war memorial in Hartington is important to our village," said parish council chairman Frank Kirkham.

"We were surprised to find that our memorial - made from local stone - was not listed and we are delighted that it now is.

"If work ever needs to be done, we can now apply for a grant and I hope that it will remain an important part of our village for generations to come."

English Heritage said listed status offers protection to the monuments and makes it easier for local communities to receive grants for conservation and repair.

Roger Bowdler, head of designation at English Heritage, said: "War memorials are a focal point of many of our towns, cities and villages.

"Some 70,000 war memorials throughout England honour the memory of more than one million British soldiers who died in the First and Second World Wars.

"They are poignant witnesses to the tragic impact of world events on our towns and villages; many possess high visual interest as well as clear historical resonance."

The cenotaph in Watts Park, Southampton, which was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and the model for the memorial in Whitehall, has been upgraded to a Grade II listing.