Blackburn's iconic ‘Grandmother and Child’ statue set to return alongside war memorial

In the next three weeks the obelisk recording the fallen in the First World War will be completed with a replica of the original ‘Sword of Sacrifice’ which originally decorated the monument.

The much-photographed bronze statue of the grandmother dragging her grandson along as he tries to recover a dropped teddy is expected to be located on a paved area near the railway station and new office block.

On Saturday, November 14 at 10.45am there will be special service at Blackburn Cathedral to rededicate the war memorial originally located at the Church of Saint Michael’s and All Angels in Whalley New Road in 1920.

In the 1980’s it was moved to the Cathedral grounds but half-hidden behind the 110-year-old recently-restored marble statue of Queen Victoria.

In 2014 it was taken away for safety and restoration during the building works.

The four-sided obelisk now stands proudly in front of the building.

The original ‘Sword of Sacrifice’ disappeared during its first move.

A total of 195 names of those who died during the 1914/1918 conflict have been re-inscribed after careful research after many eroded over the years.

Blackburn with Darwen council regeneration boss Phil Riley: “I’m delighted to see such a fitting tribute to the brave soldiers who gave their lives for this country.

“I’d also like to thank everyone that worked to make this possible and urge residents to join me at the service where we can truly show our respects.”

Clare Turner, the council’s Cathedral Quarter manager, revealed the ‘Grandmother and Child’ first unveiled in 1997, was also on its way home.

In November 2013 it was moved from its spot on the Boulevard towards Church Street and put in storage to avoid damage while the £34million Cathedral Quarter works took place.

The council promised that the £25,000 work sculpted by Alan Wilson from Henley-on-Thames would be given a prominent display place in the new ‘public realm’.