Leicester's iconic Arch of Remembrance has undergone a stunning transformation, ready to host the city's poignant Service of Remembrance this weekend in Victoria Park.
A Century of Honour Preserved
The magnificent Grade I Listed monument, which celebrates its centenary this year, has been carefully restored by a team of conservation experts at a cost of £120,000. The project was completed just in time for Remembrance Sunday, ensuring the arch looks its best for this significant anniversary.
Conservationists used innovative techniques to clean the structure, avoiding harsh chemicals. Instead, they employed high-temperature, low-pressure steam to gently clean the porous Portland stone on the two most weathered elevations. Necessary repointing works were also carried out to maintain the arch's structural integrity.
Meticulous Restoration Details
The restoration involved painstaking work on the arch's decorative features. Specialists have re-gilded ornamental elements and completely restored the four painted stone flags carved into the archway.
These flags represent the Union Flag for the Army, the White Ensign for the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force Ensign, and the Red Ensign for the Merchant Navy. Each flag was stripped back and repainted using the original colours and processes from 100 years ago, maintaining historical accuracy.
A Fitting Tribute for Remembrance
City Mayor Peter Soulsby expressed his satisfaction with the completed works, stating: "Since 1925, when the Arch of Remembrance was officially unveiled, the people of Leicester have gathered here to remember those who lost their lives while serving their country."
He added: "Today, one hundred years later, the arch is looking as magnificent as ever. It was important that this iconic memorial looked its best for the occasion, especially in its centenary year."
The arch, designed by renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, was originally commissioned as a memorial to those who died in the First World War at a cost of over £27,000. It was officially unveiled on 4 July 1925 by two mothers, Elizabeth Butler and Annie Glover, who had lost seven sons between them during the war.
In a touching continuation of this legacy, the granddaughters of those bereaved mothers, Janet Irons and Maureen Hill, will stand at the same spot to lay wreaths during Sunday's commemorations.
The Service of Remembrance takes place at the Arch of Remembrance in Victoria Park on Sunday, 9 November at 10.45am. This year's service carries special significance as it also marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
To facilitate the event, Granville Road car park will be closed from midnight on Saturday, November 8 until approximately 1pm on Sunday, November 9. Road closures will be in operation on both Granville Road and Regent Road from 9am until 1pm on Sunday, with parking restrictions also in place.
