Ashton Memorial

LANCASTER

SD4861 WILLIAMSON PARK 1685-1/5/317 Ashton Memorial 22/12/53 (Formerly Listed as: WYRESDALE ROAD The Ashton Memorial)

GV I

Memorial. 1905-9, damaged by fire 1962 and restored 1985-87. Designed by Sir John Belcher, assisted by JJ Joas. For Lord Ashton as a memorial to his family, with Gillows as contractors. Portland stone over brick with steel joists and concrete infill, with balustrades of Cornish granite and steps of Hopton Wood limestone. Dome clad with copper. Of square plan, 150 feet tall, and built in an elevated position in an Edwardian Baroque style. A long flight of steps leads down the slope to the west and divides near the bottom to sweep around a fountain set in front of a screen wall with 2 Tuscan columns in antis. The lowest stage of the memorial has recessed entrance porticoes on the east and west sides, each with 2 paired Tuscan columns, and 2 single columns, in antis. The north and south sides have recesses treated similarly. Across each corner angle is a pedimented round-arched opening. Above the cornice and parapet are subsidiary stone domes at each corner with pairs of Corinthian columns in their diagonals. The drum of the main dome has an entablature supported by paired Corinthian columns. Facing in each cardinal direction is an aedicule with an open segmental pediment. Below each is a projection whose decoration includes shields carved with a ship, a railway engine, and a reaper. Above each pediment on 3 sides are allegorical figure sculptures representing Commerce, Science, and Art. On the 4th, west, side there is a staircase projection above the pediment. Below the dome the upper part of the drum is pierced by round windows; above, the lantern is surrounded by a balustrade. INTERIOR: contains 2 domed chambers, one above the other. The lower chamber has a floor of white marble inlaid with black. Its dome is decorated by 4 large figure groups painted on canvas by George Murray, representing Commerce, History, Art, and Science. Between them are the figures of the 4 seasons above the windows, accompanied by the Arms of Lancaster. (Ashworth S: The Lino King: York: 1989-).

Listing NGR: SD4889561319