Monument to The Countess of Ellesmere, Manchester Road, Walkden

For 100 years the monument enjoyed the most prominent position in Walkden – on an island at the junction of the Bolton and Manchester Roads. However, increasing traffic congestion in the 1960's led the Ministry of Transport to demand its relocation (despite local protests) to its present site near the church.

TO ARCHITECTS - MEMORIAL TO THE LATE DOWAGER COUNTESS OF ELLESMERE. The Committee are now prepared to accept DESIGNS for the above Memorial. The object is to be an Eleanor Cross, comprising, if considered not otherwise objectionable, a drinking fountain, but without any cost for the water conveyance. The quality of stone or other material introduced is to be specially mentioned, and the Architect is to be prepared to execute the work at the estimated cost, which is not to exceed £800. The site is to be at the junction of the Manchester and Bolton Roads at Walkden Moor, Worsley, near Manchester. Designs and specifications to be sent in on or before March 30 to the Chairman, Fereday Smith Esq, Bridgewater Offices, Manchester, of whom any further enquiries may be made.

MEMORIAL TO THE COUNTESS OF ELLESMERE, WALKDEN - The committee appointed to choose the designs for the memorial of the Countess of Ellesmere have selected those of Mr C. H. Driver, of Westminster; Mr T. Graham Jackson, of Devereux Court, London; and Mr J. Gibbs, of Oxford. On being submitted to the arbitrament of Mr G. E Street, of Russell square, London, the well-known architect, that gentleman visited the locality, and after having carefully examined the drawings and specifications, has decided in favour of Mr Graham Jackson's design. [Building News 2 August 1867 page 534]

MEMORIAL OF THE LATE DOWAGER COUNTESS OF ELLESMERE, AT WALKDEN MOOR, MANCHESTER - This monument is. to the memory of Harriet Dowager Countess of Ellesmere, who died in 1866. She was widow of the first and grand-mother of the present earl. Her good works among the labouring population and others on the estate will long be remembered, and the memorial which forms the subject of our illustration is Intended to commemorate them. Walkden Moor, the site of the monument, is near Worsley, the seat of the Earls of Ellesmere, and in the middle of the colliery district included in their extensive property. About fifty designs were submitted for the monument in answer to an invitation by advertisement. Mr. G. E. Street was consulted by the committee, and their final decision was made in accordance with hie opinion. The architect whose design was accepted, and is now being carried out as shown in the accompanying illustration, is Mr. T. G. Jackson, of London, Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford. [Builder 11 July 1868 page 509 and Illustration]

MONUMENT TO THE COUNTESS OF ELLESMERE - A magnificent monument, to perpetuate the memory of the late Dowager Countess of Ellesmere, is in course of erection at Walkden Moor, and will be completed in a few days. The architect is Mr. T. Graham Jackson, of London, Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford; the contractors, Messrs. Halliday and Cave, of Greetham, Oakham. The construction is a very select piece of carving and stone-masonry, and is ornamented with wreaths, carved arches, and flower work. It is square, and on each side are sculptured life-sized symbolical statues. Facing the north is a representation of " Munificence," with her name engraved on her robes; on the south, " Piety "; on the east, " Prudence;" and on the west, " Charity." A little lower down at each angle is a neatly carved small figure, standing under an ornamental canopy. One represents a factory lass, another a smith, the third a factory woman, and the fourth a collier. These figures were carved by Mr. Farmer, sculptor, London; and the whole is well worth the inspection of all lovers of modern architecture. [Building News 22 January 1869 page 82]

INAUGURATION OF THE ELLESMERE MEMORIAL AT WALKDEN -  The late Countess of Ellesmere died on 17 April, 1866, and her remains were interred on the 24th, in the family vault in St. Mark's Church, Worsley. The death created a profound sensation throughout the entire district, and a proposal emanated with wonderful spontaneity, to perpetuate her beloved name and good deeds, and the necessary funds being at once forthcoming, it was decided that a monument should be erected at Walkden Moor, in the midst of the population who were so specially the subject. of the countess’s care, and who so keenly deplored the removal of their benefactress.

The memorial occupies a commanding position at the junction of the road leading from Farnworth to Worsley with the Manchester and Wigan turnpike road, and immediately adjoining a new road now in course of construction to Ellenbrook station, on the Eccles, Tyldesley, and Wigan branch of the London and North Western Railway. The monument is what would be popularly called an "Eleanor Cross." It is raised on a pyramid of steps, as is or was the case with each of the three remaining crosses which were built in memory of Queen Eleanor at the close of the 13thoentury. The superstructure is divided into three stages. The lowest is square in plan, and consists of a solid basement on which rests a massive central column, surrounded by four groups of clustered columns, one at each angle, which carry four pointed arches, trefoil capped, and surmounted by pediments with crockets and finials. There is an encircled pinnacle at each angle containing at its lower part a niche. The four statuettes which fill these niches represent a Lancashire operative, a collier, and two factory girls in their characteristic costume; these were copied from life studies. A parapet of open tracery finishes this stage at the top. The second stage is octagonal in plan, with buttresses on the four oblique faces which unite it in outline with the square stage below. The four direct faces of the octagon contain niches with cusped and pedimented canopies in which are life-sized statues of the four virtues— Piety, Charity, Munificence, and Prudence. This stage is also finished with a parapet of open tracery. The third and top stage is cruciform in plan, with diapers and crocketted gablets on the four direct faces, and is surmounted by spirelet and stone cross. The total height from the ground to the top of the cross is 50 feet. The foundations, including4 feet of concrete, are 6 feet deep below the ground

The following inscription, in plain incised lettering runs round the cornice of the basement on which the four columns of the open stage rest: — A public tribute of affection and respect to the memory of Harriett, widow of Francis first Earl of Ellesmere. AD 1868.

The materials are Edgefold stone for the steps, Hollington stone for the monument, and Box ground for the eight statues. The architect is Mr. Graham Jackson, of London, and Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford. The carving and statues were executed by Messrs Farmer and Brindley, of London; the rest of the work by Messrs Halliday and Cave of Oakham, in Rutland; the construction of the monument was superintended by Mr. William Burgess, of Northampton; and Mr. Samuel Darbishire of Worsley, acted as clerk of the works. The monument is enclosed within a circle of neat palisading, and can be seen from various points to great advantage, each face giving general idea of the whole.  – continues with extensive report on proceedings. [Bolton Evening News 27 July 1869]

Reference        Manchester Guardian Saturday 23 February 1867 - contracts
Reference        Manchester Guardian 2 March 1867 page 6 – contracts
Reference        Building News 2 August 1867 page 534
Reference        Builder 11 July 1868 page 509 and Illustration
Reference        Building News 22 January 1869 page 82
Reference        Bolton Evening News 27 July 1869