Type=image;ImageID=16696;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Cleaned Cenotaph;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=16697;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Cleaned Cenotaph;TitleClass=strong;
City of Wolverhampton Council arranged for specialist contractors to come in and clean the 96 year old memorial in St Peter's Square.
The cenotaph is made from red sandstone and special care had to be taken not to damage the stone while removing general moss, dirt and pollution during the 6 week spruce up.
Measures to deter birds from landing on the structure have also be installed to reduce the need for future cleaning.
Scaffolding which surrounded the cenotaph for the duration of the works has now been removed.
Remembrance Sunday is the centre piece of 'Wolverhampton Remembers' - a programme of events to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.
Lamppost poppies have been put up all around the St Peter's Square, as well as silhouettes of silent soldiers.
Sunday's observance of remembrance will commence with a parade through the city centre by detachments from veterans, regular forces, reserve and cadet units as well as representatives from local uniformed organisations.
Led by the Pipe Band of West Midlands Fire Service, the parade will move off from Wulfruna Street at 10.35am and make its way through Princes Square, Lichfield Street, Queen Square, Exchange Street and into St Peter's Square.
A drumhead service will take place at the Cenotaph at 10.45am, a 2 minute silence will be observed at 11am and wreathes will be laid by the Mayor, armed forces and other dignitaries.
A civic service of remembrance will then take place inside neighbouring St Peter's Church.
Councillor Linda Leach, chairwoman of City of Wolverhampton's Remembrance Committee, said: "Our city, with its close links to the armed forces, has a long and proud history of observing remembrance and acknowledging the sacrifice brave men and women have made and continue to make for our freedom and security.
"This year, being the centenary of the end of World War One, is especially poignant and I am sure there will be an excellent turnout on Sunday.
"I would like as many people as possible to come and pay their respects to the 4,272 men and women from Wolverhampton who died during the First World War and the countless others whose lives were forever change through injury or grief."
City of Wolverhampton Council has organised a programme of events to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. These include creating an updated roll of honour, currently on display in the Civic Centre, which features the names of previously 'forgotten' victims of the conflict who have never appeared on any public memorial before.
The city's 2 First World War Victoria Cross winners have been honoured with the unveiling of 2 memorial stones.
To find out more about how Wolverhampton is marking the centenary visit Type=links;Linkid=10601;Title=Wolverhampton Remembers;Target=_blank;.
- released: Wednesday 6 November, 2018