War Memorial, Entrance Gates, Wall And Railings In Memorial Gardens

The war memorial, entrance gates, wall, and railings form part of the Memorial Gardens on London Road, Hazel Grove, and date from 1923, with additions following the Second World War. Constructed from grey dimension stone, the memorial consists of a tall, floriated Latin cross with a glory, set upon an octagonal plinth raised on three steps. The plinth bears the First World War inscription. A separate inscribed slab rests on the steps on the south west side, serving as a Second World War memorial. A kerbed border surrounds the memorial, incorporating a short section of low iron railings to protect the Second World War memorial; one name, Eric Wright, is inscribed on the kerbing.

The north east side of the plinth features the inscription “ERECTED TO THE / ENDURING MEMORY / OF THE MEN OF / HAZEL GROVE / WHO DIED FOR / THEIR COUNTRY IN / THE GREAT WARS / 1914-1918 / 1939-1945.” The south east side bears the words, “AT / THE GOING DOWN / OF THE SUN / AND / IN THE MORNING / WE WILL / REMEMBER THEM.” The remaining six sides of the plinth are inscribed with 104 names, listed alphabetically by surname with a few exceptions. The Second World War memorial slab is headed 1939-1945 and lists 64 names in a similar format, with a 65th name inscribed on the kerb stone.

The memorial stands centrally within a memorial garden, which occupies an irregular plot extending between London Road and Argyle Street. Argyle Street has simple iron railings and a gate. The London Road entrance is more formal, featuring a dwarf wall supporting railings with inset entrance gates hanging from ornamented piers. The memorial was unveiled on Remembrance Day 1923 by Ernest Bagshawe, built by JW Hulme Ltd at a cost of £2000. The memorial is designated at Grade II as a poignant reminder of the impact of world events on the Hazel Grove community, commemorating those who died in both World Wars, and as a well-preserved monument within its garden setting.