News Beat
‘Reminders of sacrifice’: Bolton MP backs memorial fund
The money would see the Uks 100,000 cenotaphs, tombs, and obelisks receive a much-needed round of maintenance and repair.
Ms Qureshi said: “War memorials are a vital part of our shared history.
“They remind us of the extraordinary sacrifice made by servicemen and women in conflicts past and present.”
The new funding was announced by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport to coincide with Remembrance Sunday.
The money raised will go to the National Heritage Memorial Fund – the organisation dedicated to preserving Britain’s history.
READ MORE: Bolton commemorates Armistice Day with town hall service
Crowds gather in Bolton to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday
Bolton veterans honoured at special lunch during this Remembrance time
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “War memorials are sacred spaces where communities come together to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.
“It is our duty to ensure these memorials are conserved with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
War memorials may become damaged through neglect, as natural weathering processes erode the monuments.
They may also be subjected to acts of vandalism, theft, or graffiti.
There were 13 such incidents between 2024 and 2025, a significant decrease from the previous year’s figure of 32.
Of these 13 attacks, there were 3 incidents of graffiti, 5 thefts, 1 attempted theft, and 4 incidents of vandalism.
Bolton council maintains 12 war memorials throughout its borough, in Bolton itself and in the surrounding villages.
The Bolton war memorial is located in Victoria Square opposite the town hall.
The monument was first erected in 1928 to honour those lost during WW1, and further inscriptions were added after the second war.
One side features a female figure, representing ‘Peace’, restraining a young male figure.
The other side features the female figure holding the male figure’s dead body, representing ‘sacrifice’.
These sculptures were added by Lancashire sculptor Walter Marsden in 1933, who himself had fought in WW1.
