Redcar Council to look after crumbling Lazenby war memorial

Redcar and Cleveland Council previously said any action it was able to take was limited since it did not own the memorial in Lazenby, nor the land it was on. But, concerns of some residents having been highlighted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), it later performed an about-turn and said it would take on the responsibility for repairs.

Cracks in the paving around the structure are clearly visible and also in a boundary wall which has loose masonry, while, being on a sloped bank, a set of steps is the only practical way to reach the memorial, meaning disabled veterans in wheelchairs cannot lay wreaths in person.

Darcy Lance with his petition. (Image: LDRS) Darcy Lance, a former private in the Green Howards Regiment, who lives in Lazenby, said it was a “forgotten” village, having also lost its post office and not having a regular timetabled bus service. Mr Lance described how he had collected a petition with more than 180 signatures calling on the council to upgrade the site and make it safe, and had also drawn up plans to create an access ramp next to the steps.

He said: “It’s on a bank that is eroding away. There are cracks in the paved path, and the wall that is left is cracking. We would like the wall fully reinstated and disabled access provided so people in wheelchairs can come up and lay their own wreaths. People can’t get up the steps and at the side of the railings, we want to put disabled access in so they can come up and down the slope.

“I think it is demeaning that someone who has done their service and is in a wheelchair and wants to lay a wreath has to hand it to someone else.”

The 59-year-old said he had been frustrated by the council’s initial stance which was “it’s nothing to do with them” and that planning permission would also be required. He said: “There are war memorials in Eston and Redcar that have been done, but this village is always left out, we are the forgotten village.

“It is a shame to see things like this decline, people should take pride in it and it should be preserved.”

The memorial was gifted to the people of Lazenby and Wilton and Mr Lance said a record of it was kept by the Imperial War Museum in London. However, there were no deeds detailing the actual ownership of it.

Christine Hill, a focal minister at Wilton Church, left, and Darcy Lance pictured by the war memorial in Lazenby. (Image: LDRS) Christine Hill, a focal minister at Wilton Church, who has lived in Lazenby for 46 years and oversees services at the memorial every Remembrance Sunday, said: “The wall round the side is quite dangerous with cracks in it. We have no disabled access and as the veterans are getting older it is getting quite difficult to get to the top there. It is looking a bit unloved at the minute as well. It would be great if it was more accessible and safer, and if possible smarter.”

In a prior statement, the council said officers had inspected the memorial site on two occasions and there were deemed to be no risks to the public highway. It also said it would be happy to advise the owner of the land and memorial on potential maintenance.

However, it later said: “Those who have served our country in times of conflict must never be forgotten and it is a privilege to look after the borough’s war memorials. For many years our officers have sought without success to trace the owner of Lazenby War Memorial and surrounding land to encourage the owner to maintain it properly. Now, in the absence of anyone coming forward to claim the ownership, the council has decided to formally take on responsibility for this monument.

“We anticipate being able to maintain it for generations to come and we consider it an honour.”

A wide crack in a paving slab and also, right, the deteriorating boundary wall to the war memorial site. (Image: LDRS)

Council leader Alec Brown also posted on Facebook and said he had asked for the memorial to be urgently adopted and for repairs carried out, as well as a ramp for disabled access added. He said he understood the “absolute need” for places where people could show respect for sacrifices made by those who had fallen in wars.

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Although when the LDRS pressed the council further on its specific plans and whether these would include the improvements being sought, a spokesperson could only say the matter was still under review.

Mr Lance said tradesmen in the village had offered their services for free in order that work could be done.

Lazenby has a rich history, it is thought to have Viking origins and was named in the Domesday Book of 1086. Its village hall is a Grade II listed building originally built as a school by the Lowther family, who owned nearby Wilton Castle.