The war memorial in Middleton, targeted by vandals, will undergo restoration to preserve its historical significance and prevent further damage
Middleton: A war memorial that has faced vandalism for years is finally getting some much-needed repairs. The Memorial Gardens honor those who fought in the World Wars and pay tribute to Fusilier Lee Rigby.
Originally, there were toilets on either side of the entrance, but they were closed off after being damaged. Now, Rochdale Council has the green light to spruce up the site and make sure it stands the test of time.
The plans include fixing missing slates, replacing roof trusses, and making sure everything is watertight. This should help stop any further damage caused by theft and vandalism.
Coun Dylan Williams has been vocal about the ongoing issues with vandalism and anti-social behavior in Middleton. In 2024, the memorial gardens and nearby King George V park saw a lot of trouble from groups of masked teens on motorbikes.
After the gardens were hit again in June, Coun Williams expressed his frustration, saying, “It is just getting worse and worse. It is completely out of control now.”
