Cromer mayor launches campaign to restore the town’s war memorial

Cromer town mayor David Pritchard with Cromer war memorial.PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2013)

The monument, built in 1921 and topped by a statue of St George, has become eroded and weather-beaten and requires work to restore it to its former glory.

Mr Pritchard, who publicised the campaign at Saturday's community open day, said the listed monument was an important structure.

He added: 'I decided for my mayoral year I would like to start a committee and raise awareness of doing something with the memorial statue.

'It is so key to the town I am sure the vast majority of people will want to support it.

'Being in charge of the works and general committee, I was aware there were some problems with the condition.

'We had a couple of options – to repair, restore or replace, but as a listed monument it was not as easy to replace it as I thought it would be.'

Mr Pritchard said he wanted the whole community to be involved in the restoration, with anybody interested invited to join the committee.

He said: 'It is a soft stone and we are close to the sea so it is in pretty poor condition.

'What we do with the figure of St George will have to be discussed with the war memorial committee.'

The council has set aside a small amount of money each year for the memorial, which will be boosted with extra fund-raising to cover the costs.

An Easter egg raffle at the community open day on Saturday raised about £160 and Mr Pritchard hopes an event on August 4 will add to the pot.

A home-cooked meal for eight from The Grove in Cromer will be up for auction at the event.

The next meeting of the war memorial committee is on Tuesday, April 22 at the town council offices in North Lodge Park.