The Old Parsonage Stenner Lane Didsbury Manchester M20 2RQ info@didsburycivicsociety.org 0161 445 7661

Didsbury Garden of Contemplation – A Community Wide Project

Didsbury War Memorial was erected in honour of 174 local servicemen who fell in the First World War. It was unveiled on 4 July 1921 by Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Lord Derby, and dedicated by the Rector of St James’ Church, Didsbury, Reverend CC Ellis. Names were added to commemorate the 67 who died in the Second World War, following that conflict.

This important monument is situated in the heart of the village and yet over recent years the area immediately around the memorial has looked scruffy and unkempt.  The memorial is unnaturally fenced away and the land surrounding the monument has been overtaken by laurels and other invasive, low biodiversity, species. The current site of the war memorial is a disgrace to the people who gave their lives, and we can do much better than this if we work together for the benefit of all.

A diverse group of Didsbury residents including the Didsbury Civic Society, Didsbury in Bloom, local councillors, council officers and St James & Emmanuel church have been meeting to look at how to improve the area for all residents of the local community. 

The plan is to spend £20-£30K and this amount of money will have to be raised through crowd funding and applying for grants to create a garden of contemplation around the war memorial.  This will take the form of a ‘competition’ where local designers are asked to submit proposals that follow a pre-agreed brief.  The wider community will be consulted at all stages of the design and implementation.  Local consultation is uppermost in the minds of the organising group.  

Please donate through Didsbury Civic Society through Bank Transfer

HSBC Sort Code    40-31-20                                Account Number 11514644

Please insert your surname and use ref CEN eg SmithCEN

Your support is vital to the success of this project.  Thank you