The Friends of the Nicholson War Memorial was established a few years' ago to conserve and promote this Grade II listed building. It is one of Leek's iconic buildings and known locally as the "Monument".

The memorial was built in 1925 by Sir Arthur Nicholson in memory of his son, Lieutenant Basil Lee Nicholson, who was killed in action at Ypres in 1915 and also in memory of the men of Leek and District who fell in the First World War.

Standing ninety feet high it is reputedly the tallest war memorial in the country and with four clock faces serves as the town's main clock. It is built of Portland stone and cost £16,000 to build.

A condition report was undertaken in 2008 which revealed substantial damage to the building. We have successfully obtained £178,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £10,000 from the Wolfson Foundation and English Heritage and the restoration repairs have now been completed. Guided tours of the war memorial will commence in February 2012 and will be available for schools, community groups and members of the public. 

We are currently recruiting volunteers to give guided tours of the building and to act as stewards at the exhibition about the Nicholson War Memorial and the Nicholson family to be held in autumn 2012. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or have any memorabilia that you would be willing to loan the exhibition or would like a guided tour, please contact Mrs. Julie Taylor (01538 381271).

For further information about the "Monument" and the history of the Nicholson family go to: www.nicholsonmemorial.org.uk