Preston Abstinence Memorial

A Gothic memorial to the Preston Abstinence movement dated 1859, standing in Preston General Cemetery.

PLAN: the memorial is octagonal on plan and is standing on a square base with projecting octagonal corners.

MATERIALS: the memorial is composed of limestone masonry.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial is ornately decorated and is of three stages, forming a tapering composition with strong horizontal emphasis. It comprises a base course which itself stands on a plinth that is square with octagonal corner projections, which emphasise the overall shape of the memorial. The first stage has a base with moulded socle and panels above. These are blind on three elevations, that on the east bears an inscription. There is a decorative frieze of quatrefoils above the panels and four octagonal pillars at each corner each with further carved insets and conical caps. The second stage has quatrefoils carved on each of the four main sides of the lower section, and a gableted arcade above which is supported by engaged columns. The niches which contain trefoil-head carvings. There are festoons above the columns and the gablets have fleur de lys finials. There is further carved detailing above including carvings in the form of birds on each of the eight sides. The third stage has a double lucarned conical top on a moulded base with a foliate finial at the apex.

There are eight balustrade posts with dog-tooth detailing surrounding the memorial which formerly supported low railings around the monument which are no longer in-situ.

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