A WAR memorial in Ellesmere Port which had become an ‘eyesore’ has been rejuvenated by a resident with a helping hand from the community.

The garden and its associated plaque from the Mersey Iron Works were returned to the town in 2017 thanks to the War Memorial Trust, but the space on corner of Whitby Road had since become overgrown with weeds and many of its flowers had died.

Now, however, work by resident David Collins has ensured that the memorial will once again be a fitting tribute to those who left the nearby Cromwell Road works to fight in the First World War.

Dave, who would pass by the memorial regularly, initially set about contacting the Council who informed him that they did not own the memorial and were unable to provide new plants for the area, but recommended that he contact community group, Ellesmere Port In Bloom.

Dave worked on the garden on his days off for around eight weeks.Dave worked on the garden on his days off for around eight weeks. (Image: Sonia Collins)

“I noticed over the last two or three years that it had deteriorated and deteriorated. I thought I could either leave it, or I could do something about it,” said Dave.

Over the next six to eight weeks, Dave used his days off to clear rubbish and weeds from the garden and contacted Ellesmere Port In Bloom who donated £100 for new plants.

Soon other residents noticed his efforts and would stop whilst driving by to give donations for further floral reinforcements.

Glowquest bathroom store also allowed Dave to use their water and electricity supply to jet wash the flagstones and clean the area.

Dave who served in the army and is an ex-firefighter, said that he’d had several people offer their thanks and support for his work restoring the memorial.

“Lots of people have stopped, I’ve had drivers pull over and get out of the car and say ‘You’ve done a really great job’ and ‘It was looking such an eyesore, it looks much better now’.

“People have stopped to have a chat about it and given me some of the history of it.”

The plaque was initially unveiled at the main entrance to the iron works on Cromwell Road in 1926 before transferring to the rose garden at the iron works’ sports ground.

It was then in place at the Royal British Legion on Stanney Lane when the sports ground was sold.

It was later taken into storage by RBL North West Property in Manchester, before being repaired and reinstated in the town seven years ago.

The 61-year-old continued: “I suppose, it is an obvious statement, but they did sacrifice their tomorrow for our today. They didn’t have choice when they went to war and its only right and proper that we continue to remember their sacrifice.

“I didn’t think that it showed that we were remembering their sacrifice by leaving it the way that it was.

“I’ve kind of adopted it, but unfortunately because of my age, my wife makes a joke that I’ll have to train our grandson up to look after it when I can’t do it.”

Dave is looking forward to the newly planted blooms continuing to grow and flower over the next few years.