A town’s monuments and statues tell important stories about the people who have lived and worked there through the ages. Some monuments mark significant historical events, while others honour people who gave their lives in world conflicts, or made a scientific breakthrough that changed lives. They help communities to remember the past, and contribute to the collective memory.
Thanet District Council has started a project to restore and protect some of the war memorials situated on public land. Following a comprehensive survey, 25 monuments have been identified as most in need of restoration. The work will be prioritised according to the level of work required for each, rather than by location.
The first nine war memorials to benefit from the refurbishment project are:
- War memorial, St James Church, Westbrook
- Margate Cross War Memorial, Trinity Square, Margate
- First World War Memorial, Manston Village
- Memorial, St Mary Magdalene Church, Monkton
- Dunkirk Memorial Plaque, Harbour Yard, Ramsgate
- Women’s War Memorial, Trinity Square Gardens, Margate
- Burma Star Association, Trinity Square Gardens, Margate
- Normandy Veterans Association Memorial, Trinity Square Gardens, Margate
- British Korean Veterans Association Memorial, Trinity Square Gardens, Margate
The Victory Lugger memorial stone on Margate Harbour Arm is also being restored. It commemorates the nine Margate men who lost their lives on the Lugger ‘Victory’ on 5 January 1857, as they came to the aid of the crew of the American sailing ship Northern Belle.
The scope of the work differs for each monument, but includes repainting inscriptions, repointing stonework and plinths, repairing railings and re-laying paving stones. In some cases, plants and moss will be cut back or removed, and the statue or monument jet washed. The stonemasonry at certain memorials requires specialist repair.
The project is supported by ‘social value’, which is part of many public sector contracts. It ensures that public spending generates benefits over and above the materials and services that the contract was procured for. These can be activities that focus on economic, social and environmental well-being.
In this case, selected contractors that hold significant contracts with Thanet District Council are donating the materials and carrying out the work to restore the monuments. The contractors involved are Mears, BSW, WWMartin, AD Construction and A&E Elkins Ltd (Trading as Elkins Construction).
Andreea Plant, Head of Property at Thanet District Council, said: “Thanet’s statues and monuments are far more than just stone and metal; they are the markers of our history, the symbols of our collective memory, and the silent storytellers of past generations. They often provide a focal point or recognisable landmark in a town or village centre.
“The ultimate aim is to ensure that all statues and monuments on public land are preserved for future generations, and that the events or people that are commemorated are remembered for years to come. With this in mind, surveys will be carried out on other statues and monuments across Thanet, in the next financial year.
“The contributions of our contractors WW Martin, AD Construction, AE Elkins, Mears and BSW have made this project possible, and I would like to express my thanks to them all.”
The remaining 16 monuments will be restored in the next financial year, 2026/27. These are:
- Dunkirk Memorial Plaque, Droit House, Margate Harbour Arm
- 1914-1918 Memorial, All Saints Church, Margate
- British Legion Memorial, Westgate-on-Sea
- Memorial, All Saints Church, Birchington-on-Sea
- Memorial, St Peter’s Church, St Peters
- Bourner Memorial, Lewis Crescent, Cliftonville
- Broadstairs Memorial, High Street, Broadstairs
- Naval Memorial 1917, Ramsgate Cemetery
- Destiny Memorial, Albion Gardens, Ramsgate
- Memorial, St George’s Church, Ramsgate
- Memorial, St Laurence Church, St Lawrence, Ramsgate
- 1914-18 Wesleyan Memorial, Minster
- Pugin bust, East Cliff Promenade, Ramsgate
- Two stone lions, East Cliff Promenade, Ramsgate
- Friend of all Nations monument, Canterbury Road, Margate
- Ingram Memorial, Westgate-on-Sea
