31/10/2026
🇬🇧 Caring for Hedon's War Memorial – Remembrance Sunday 2026 🇬🇧
With Remembrance Sunday approaching on 8th November, we've been back to Hedon's historic War Memorial to make sure it's looking its very best for this year's service.
We first cleaned the memorial back in March, carefully removing years of heavy organic staining and restoring much of the stonework to its natural appearance.
As part of our ongoing community Good Deeds initiative, we recently returned to give the memorial some further care and attention, helping to preserve this important piece of Hedon's history.
🌿 A gentler approach to long-term preservation
Despite our work earlier in the year, nature had already begun to leave its mark.
The surrounding trees in the cemetery create ideal conditions for organic growth, and the memorial plaque, added following the Second World War to commemorate Hedon's fallen, was already beginning to show signs of staining.
Local wildlife had also taken its toll, with the upper cross particularly affected by bird droppings.
Rather than resorting to aggressive cleaning methods, we opted for a carefully controlled softwashing treatment.
This involves applying a gentle cleaning solution to tackle organic growth and staining, followed by a specialist biocidal treatment designed to help slow the return of green and red algae.
Our aim isn't simply to make the memorial look good for Remembrance Sunday. We're working towards a long-term maintenance programme that will help preserve the stonework for future generations.
By keeping organic growth under control through regular preventative treatments, we hope to significantly reduce, and eventually eliminate, the need for more aggressive cleaning methods such as pressure washing.
Less aggressive cleaning means less mechanical wear on the stonework, helping protect this historic monument for years to come.
🪨 A little extra attention to the surroundings
While we were there, we also turned our attention to the edging stones surrounding the memorial.
These had become heavily affected by stubborn black lichen, so we carefully pressure washed the edging before applying a specialist treatment to help break down the remaining staining and gradually restore the stone's natural appearance.
Working with Hedon Town Council, we also replenished the limestone chippings surrounding the monument, giving the entire area a fresh, clean and well-maintained appearance ahead of Sunday's remembrance service.
💙 A few well-deserved thank-yous
We'd like to extend our sincere thanks to Hedon Town Council for once again allowing us the privilege of caring for this important local landmark.
We'd also like to thank RBS Ryehill Building Supplies Ltd. for kindly providing free delivery of the limestone chippings.
And a special mention to their delivery driver, who somehow managed to reverse his rather large wagon down Ivy Lane to get the materials exactly where we needed them! 👏
🌺 Looking ahead
Our work doesn't end here.
We'll be returning in the spring to assess how the treatments are performing and, if necessary, apply another preventative treatment to help keep organic growth under control.
Our long-term ambition is simple: to help keep Hedon's War Memorial looking its best throughout the year, while protecting its historic stonework for generations to come.
It's a genuine privilege to play a small part in looking after a monument that means so much to our town.
We will remember them. 🌺
Hedon Exterior Cleaning
Good work. Fair rates. Done proper.
www.hedonexteriorcleaning.co.uk
