Preston Abstinence Memorial

The Preston Abstinence Memorial is a Gothic structure built in 1859, located in Preston General Cemetery.

The memorial has an octagonal shape and stands on a square base with projecting octagonal corners. It is made of limestone masonry and features ornate decorations across three stages, creating a tapering form with a strong horizontal emphasis.

The base course rests on a square plinth with octagonal corner projections that highlight the memorial's shape. The first stage includes a base with a moulded socle and panels, three of which are blind, while the eastern panel features an inscription. Above the panels is a decorative frieze of quatrefoils, and at each corner, there are four octagonal pillars adorned with carved insets and conical caps.

The second stage showcases quatrefoils carved on each of its four main sides, along with a gableted arcade supported by engaged columns. The niches within this arcade contain trefoil-head carvings, and there are festoons above the columns, with fleur de lys finials on the gablets. Additional carvings, including birds, are present on each of the eight sides.

The third stage culminates in a double lucarned conical top, set on a moulded base, topped with a foliate finial. Surrounding the memorial are eight balustrade posts featuring dog-tooth detailing, which once supported low railings that are no longer in place.

The inscription on the memorial reads: "ERECTED 1859/ TO COMMEMORATE THE/ ORIGIN IN PRESTON OF TO/ TAL ABSTINENCE FROM ALL/ INTOXICATING LIQUOR."