Bournville Memorial Cross

Sycamore Road, Bournville, Birmingham, West Midlands, B30 2AD

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Overview

First World War memorial, 1923.
Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1432591
Date first listed:
03-Feb-2016
List Entry Name:
Bournville Memorial Cross
Statutory Address:
Sycamore Road, Bournville, Birmingham, West Midlands, B30 2AD
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Location

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1432591
Date first listed:
03-Feb-2016
List Entry Name:
Bournville Memorial Cross
Statutory Address 1:
Sycamore Road, Bournville, Birmingham, West Midlands, B30 2AD

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:
Sycamore Road, Bournville, Birmingham, West Midlands, B30 2AD

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:
Birmingham (Metropolitan Authority)
Parish:
Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:
SP0469281525

Summary

First World War memorial, 1923.

Reasons for Designation

Bournville Memorial Cross, which stands on the green, Sycamore Road, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this local community, and the sacrifice it has made in the conflicts of the First World War;
* Architectural interest: an elegant lantern cross in the medieval style;
* Group value: with 10 and 12 Sycamore Road (Grade II).

History

The Bournville Cross was unveiled by Mrs Cadbury on 25 July 1923, at a ceremony led by local clergy. The memorial commemorates 35 local men who died during the First World War. The lettering had become eroded and in October 2000 it was proposed that the inscriptions be re-cut. More than £14,300 was raised through a fundraising appeal and, following refurbishment, the memorial was re-dedicated on 25 July 2003 by Reverend Peter Babington. The ceremony formed part of the celebrations of the centenary of Bournville Village.

Details

The memorial is located in the middle of the green in the junction of Sycamore Road, Laburnum Road and Willow Road, standing on a small lawn enclosed by a low octagonal hedge and path. Openings in the north and south of the hedge permit access to the memorial, where two litter bins have been placed (the litter bins are not of special interest).

The tall memorial in Weldon stone comprises a lantern cross. A small stone sphere surmounts the four-sided lantern. Each face of the lantern is ornamented with an intricate blind Gothic arch. The lantern rises from a narrow, tapering, octagonal shaft. That stands on an octagonal plinth and a two-stepped, octagonal, base.

The principal dedicatory inscription, on one face of the plinth, reads REMEMBER/ 1914-1919. This is carved in relief. The commemorated names are incised into three of the plinth’s other faces.

Sources

Websites
War Memorials Register, accessed 18/11/2015 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/38691
War Memorials Online, accessed 18/11/2015 from https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/node/85785

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Ordnance survey map of Bournville Memorial Cross

Map

This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 09-Jun-2026 at 23:20:21.

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© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. Use of this mapping is subject to Terms and Conditions.

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.

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