DELIGHTED VILLAGERS have praised Oldham Council for restoring a landmark monument in the heart of their community.
The monument in Dobcross Square was erected by public subscription more than a hundred years ago as a tribute to Saddleworth’s first medical officer of health.
But last Christmas Eve the monument, believed to weigh up to ten tonnes, toppled from its plinth after being struck by a van.
The ornately-carved stone panels, topped by a recently-refurbished copper lantern, finished up in broken sections scattered across Woods Lane.
But now Oldham Council has brought in experts to ensure the monument was sympathetically restored in time for Whit Friday celebrations.
Paul Clegg, Dobcross Village Community’s vice chairman, said: “The entire village is overjoyed and relieved our beloved monument is back and ready for another hundred years.
“All credit goes to Oldham Council for overseeing both the removal and reinstatement – plus the stonemasons who so expertly reinstated the entire monument.
“They reinforced each section internally with stainless steel pins to ensure the events of Christmas Eve last year can never happen again.”
Paul also thanked utility giant E.ON who made the cable safe at the time and reconnected the lamp, which was sympathetically restored.
He added: “There have been queries regarding the various chips and missing pieces of stone, with some residents hoping for a complete repair and restoration.
“But the consensus, led firmly by conservation officer Karen Heverin from OMBC, was the monument ‘should wear its scars with pride’.”
Councillor Barbara Brownridge, OMBC Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, said: “The monument is a focal point of the village square so it was important it was fully restored following the accident.
“I’m pleased local residents are delighted with the finished article.
“Our Environmental Services team and stonemasons McDermott Memorials have done a great job and I congratulate them for finishing the work in time for the Whit Friday Band contests.”
A team of stonemasons from McDermott Memorials rebuilt the iconic monument before the ancient lantern was replaced on top and reconnected EON.
One of the workers, Alan Collins, who was helped by his son Lawrence, said: “Everybody has been fantastic and popping out with brews for us and to see how we’re getting on.
“It’s nice to be able to get in back in place ready for Whit Friday.”
The monument was first erected in 1901 by public subscription as a tribute to Oldham-born doctor Walter Henry Fox Ramsden, Saddleworth’s first medical officer of health.
Another panel was added to the monument in memory of his grandson, WPB Stonehouse, also a local physician, who died in 1998.
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