Helmshore War Memorial clock tower

Memorial Grounds, Helmshore Road, Helmshore, Lancs, BB4 4AB

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Overview

A First World War memorial clock tower unveiled in 1922, with alterations after the Second World War. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1463395
Date first listed:: 15-Apr-2019
List Entry Name:: Helmshore War Memorial clock tower
Statutory Address:: Memorial Grounds, Helmshore Road, Helmshore, Lancs, BB4 4AB

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1463395
Date first listed:: 15-Apr-2019
List Entry Name:: Helmshore War Memorial clock tower
Statutory Address 1:: Memorial Grounds, Helmshore Road, Helmshore, Lancs, BB4 4AB

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

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

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:: Memorial Grounds, Helmshore Road, Helmshore, Lancs, BB4 4AB

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

County:: Lancashire
District:: Rossendale (District Authority)
Parish:: Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:: SD7819420852

Summary

A First World War memorial clock tower unveiled in 1922, with alterations after the Second World War.

Reasons for Designation

Helmshore War Memorial clock tower, a First World War memorial of 1922 with alterations after the Second World War, by James Miller of Glasgow, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Historic interest: * as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the C20.

Architectural interest:

* for the strong design interest of the tapering ashlar stone obelisk with pyramidal roof and boldly-moulded cornices, string course and architraves.

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also the official policy of not repatriating the dead which meant that the memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss.

One such memorial was raised at Helmshore as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by 53 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War (of 460 who served). The designer of the tower and gardens was James MIller (1860 to 1947) of Glasgow. The memorial clock tower was unveiled on 24 June 1922 by Mrs WJ Porritt and Mrs H Porritt. The land for the memorial gardens, and the costs once donations had been deducted, were a gift from the Porritt family who were local mill-owners. A substantial parade and ceremony marked the occasion, and this included a reading of a scroll sent by the King to the bereaved of all fallen servicemen.

The gateposts for the gardens reportedly came from the nearby house, Horncliffe. The clock was supplied by Messrs Joyce of Whitchurch in Shropshire. There are four bells providing the hours and the Cambridge chime quarters. The memorial gardens were taken over by the town council on 6 May 1925. Following the Second World War, the inscribed bronze plaque was replaced to include the names of 12 fallen from that conflict. The base of the memorial originally had three steps but the ground around the memorial has been raised since the 1960s so that the lower step is no longer visible. The upper step is grassed over but was originally paved.

Details

A First World War memorial of 1922 with alterations after the Second World War, by James Miller of Glasgow.

MATERIALS: Fletcher Bank sandstone, bronze.

DESCRIPTION: standing in a memorial park within the larger Memorial Grounds.

The memorial takes the form of a slightly tapering square ashlar tower approximately 11m tall and 3m square at the base, with a bold cornice and a lattice window on each side. Above the cornice the upper stage has a large square clock face on each side and a pyramid roof above another cornice. A string course runs around the lower part of the tower; set into the east face of this is a boldly-framed, white-lettered bronze panel inscribed, TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND/ IN GRATEFUL RECOLLECTION OF THEIR SERVICES AND SACRIFICE/ THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS OF HELMSHORE, EWOOD BRIDGE, IRWELL VALE,/ DEDICATE THIS MONUMENT TO THEIR HONOURED AND IMMORTAL MEMORY/ “GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS”/ 1914-1918/ (53 NAMES)/ 1939-1945/ (12 NAMES).

The names of the fallen are listed by year of death, and then alphabetically. A bronze Tudor crown is set above the plaque. A moulded plinth runs around the foot of the tower. A door is set into the west face, presumably giving access to the clock mechanism, and with an architrave matching the border around the dedication plaque.

The memorial stands on a square three-stepped stone base, two of which are visible, the upper one with grass surrounding the monument.

Sources

Books and journals
'Helmshore's Great Day' in Haslingden Gazette, (01/07/1922), unknown
Websites
Historic photos of approximately 1960, accessed 01/03/19 from https://www.francisfrith.com/uk/helmshore/helmshore-war-memorial-clock-tower-1960_h523012m
Imperial War Museums register, accessed 01/03/19 from http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/18698
Local history information on Haslingden Old and New, accessed 01/03/19 from https://haslingdens.blogspot.co.uk/2009/06/haslingden-borough-council-1973.html?m=1
War Memorials Online register, accessed 01/03/19 from http://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/105304

Legal

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