Facelift on way for war memorial

Work to restore a 86-year-old war memorial in West Bromwich is to start this year.

Historic gates leading to the park from Herbert Street will also be brought back into use as part of a £6.3 million restoration project.

It will form part of the first phase of work to restore Dartmouth Park to its Victorian splendour, set to be part-funded by a £4.4 million Lottery grant, with £1.9 million from Sandwell Council. The project will see the copper angel which sits on top of the monument removed and cleaned.

It had been painted after turning green due to decades of exposure to the elements.

Carol Hartill, secretary of the Friends of Dartmouth Park, said: "The monument was unveiled by the Prince of Wales in 1923 and is a real iconic landmark in West Bromwich.

"Over the years the brass turned green and the colour started to run down the stonework. All this will be cleaned up.

"We expect the work to start in September, to be completed by Remembrance Day in November.

"Work will be carried out by the gates at Herbert Street at the same time," she added.

"These used to be well-used until the Expressway was put in through the park.

"We want to restore them to their former glory and encourage people to use this neglected entrance."

In the past year the Friends of Dartmouth Park have raised £10,000 to run education projects and support the renovation work.

Cash came from two Government grants, the West Bromwich town team, individual donors from the Sandwell area, and fundraising including raffles and tombolas.

The group, which has been visiting schools and community groups and has produced a booklet of old photographs documenting the social history of the park, has also replanted rose and tulip beds throughout the park.

West Bromwich residents have paid £5 to sponsor a rosebush, many dedicating them to the memory of loved ones.

In total £8.3 million will be spent on the park over the next decade, with the additional £2 million to spent on staffing costs and maintenance by the local authority.

Work will start on improving the boundary walls and railings in January 2010.