A MEMORIAL to those who gave their lives in the First World War will be protected after buildings in Worcester’s Gheluvelt Park were given listed status.
Houses built in 1919 for wounded and disabled servicemen in Gheluvelt Park have been given Grade II Listed status by Historic England, formerly English Heritage, along with the park’s bandstand, gates, railings and arch.
The foundation stone for the houses was laid by Field Marshal Sir William Robertson, Chief of the Imperial General Staff during the First World War, on January 15, 1919.
Gheluvelt Park itself has been given a Grade II listing on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens because it is considered a rare example of a war memorial park which successfully combines leisure, sport and commemorative functions, as well as incorporating the houses for disabled servicemen.
David Sutton, the council’s service manager for a Cleaner and Greener City, said: “Gheluvelt is a much-loved park in Worcester, offering something for everyone. Mixing formal gardens with the Splashpad play area and a striking World War One feature, it’s a park that has already been awarded a Green Flag status. I am delighted its importance and appeal has now been recognised with listed status.”
Phil Douce, chairman of Worcester Civic Society, said: “We are very pleased to see that the importance and beauty of Gheluvelt Park and its environment has been recognised.
“We hope this will ensure this lovely part of Worcester will continue to be enjoyed by many generations to come.”
The park was established between 1919 and 1924 as a commemoration of the Battle of Gheluvelt in 1914 and can no longer be altered without listed building consent.
Worcestershire is commemorating the role the county had in the Great War though a four-year programme of events and activities under the banner ‘Worcestershire World War One Hundred’.
Visit www.ww1worcestershire.co.uk for more information.
