Monument To John Brooks To West Of Church Of St Mary

The monument to John Brooks, located to the west of the Church of St Mary, is a Grade II* listed structure made of white Sicilian marble and granite. It stands approximately 4.8 meters high and is designed in an Italianate style, featuring a tall square aedicule with statues in niches.

The monument has a panelled pedestal made of granite, which rests on a large, square stone plinth. The original enclosing railings have been removed. The entrance to the vault beneath the monument is located on the south side of the plinth, but it is now filled in and covered with tarmac. Above the pedestal, the square aedicule is crafted from Sicilian marble, with niches that house life-size carved female figures in classical dress on each face, framed by decorated piers. Each face is topped with a pediment, which contains carved wreaths on the north, south, and east sides, and a shield on the west side. Below the pediments is a bracketed cornice, interspersed with carved medallions. The east and south faces show signs of weathering.

The north face features the figure 'Industry', depicted with a wheel; the west face shows 'Commerce', represented with bales of cotton and calico; the east face displays 'Charity', which was exhibited at the Great Exhibition in 1851, depicted with babes in arms; and the south face contains the figure 'Integrity', holding a book. The carved decoration on the piers and spandrels includes representations of cotton and flax plants, roses, poppies, and oak and laurel leaves. The panel on the west face of the pedestal bears an inscription that reads: 'SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF/ JOHN BROOKS,/ BORN NOVEMBER XXIII.MDCCLXXXVIII./ DIED OCTOBER XXVII.MDCCCXLIX./ ALSO TO ALICE HIS WIFE/ BORN DECEMBER VI.MDCCXCIV./ DIED JUNE VII.MDCCCLII'.