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Pond Square Chapel
Town or City: Highgate
County: Greater London
Country: England
WMT Reference Number: WM9007
Value of grant: £2502.00
Type of memorial: Freestanding
Type of work: Conservation and repair
Grant scheme: WMT Grant Scheme
Year: 2015
UKNIWM reference number: 11075
Pond Square Chapel war memorial is located at Highgate United Reformed Church on Pond Square in Camden, London. It is a limestone cross with decorative finials on a tapering shaft. This stands on a square chamfered plinth and two-stepped base. Granite panels are inset into the plinth carrying lead lettering commemorating those who died in World War I. The memorial is within the curtilage of the Grade II listed church and in Highgate Conservation Area.
In 2015, a grant of £2,780 was awarded through War Memorials Trust Grants Scheme, supported by First World War Memorials Programme, towards repair and conservation works. Biological growth was removed by hand using natural bristle brushes and spatulas to ensure no damage to the stonework. The stone was then steam cleaned and the base re-pointed with lime mortar. In addition, the lead lettering was repainted to improve legibility of the inscription. Consolidation, using lime mortar, of damaged stone on the finial on the north arm of the cross and the north side of the decorative moulding at the top of the shaft was included within the Method Statement of the Contract. Unfortunately, the approved consolidation works were undertaken using a different material than lime mortar which represented a breach of Contract. As such the grant was reduced by 10% to £2,502 due to the use of inappropriate materials.
It is believed the memorial was designed by the architect Herbert Ibberson FRBA of 23 Martin Lane, Cannon Street, London EC4.
Further information
War Memorials Trust reference WM9007
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 11075
War Memorials Online: 190480
If you have a concern about this memorial please contact the Trust on conservation@warmemorials.org
