Memorial to teenage Burnley hero will be restored

8:00pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Kate Jackson, Reporter

The memorial to David Dixon The memorial to David Dixon

A MEMORIAL to a teenager who sacrificed his life while trying to save a drowning youngster is to finally be restored to its former glory, it was announced today.

David Dixon, 15, died while trying to rescue Harry Hartley, nine, who had slipped underneath the ice at the frozen Pheasantford Reservoir.

Two other boys, John Moore and Harry Tattersall, survived the January 1899 tragedy but David and Harry perished.

A cast iron water feature was erected by public subscription and stands on what is now park land off Ennismore Street but has fallen into disrepair.

Last year, calls were made for the memorial to be restored after claims it was being used as a “public ashtray”.

Today, Burnley Council announced Rossendale-based business Lancashire Soda Blast has offered to restore the rusting 113-year-old tribute for free.

The work, which is due to start in the coming months, will see the fountain blasted and repainted, and stolen fibre glass mouldings are expected to be replaced.

Burnley Council has also agreed to put in new flagging around the fountain.

Former mayor Coun John Harbour, who pledged an investigation into the restoration last year, said: “It is great news that the work will be done on the fountain, especially for people who live near it as it is in a sorry state at the moment.

“It is also important to the descendants of David Dixon and Harry Hartley as it is a reminder of David’s bravery.

“We are very grateful to the private sector for coming forward and offering to help. Without their generosity it would not be happening.”

No-one from Lancashire Soda Blast was available for comment.

The issue of restoring the memorial was raised by John Rowe, of Tennis Street, at a Burnley Council meeting last year.

He said: “It should be restored as a mark of respect. It is currently used as a receptacle for fag ends.”

David Dixon, of Devonshire Road, and Harry Hartley, of Cleaver Street, who both attended the Ebenezer Baptist Sunday School, were buried in Haggate Cemetery.

Comments (4)

9:18pm Wed 6 Mar 13

noddy57 says...

such a shame after all this time,,have people no respect for the sacrifices made by this young man,,it should be placed in the centre of town for everyone to see and appreciate,,his name should be known by everyone in burnley,
such a shame after all this time,,have people no respect for the sacrifices made by this young man,,it should be placed in the centre of town for everyone to see and appreciate,,his name should be known by everyone in burnley, noddy57

2:08pm Thu 7 Mar 13

BURNLEYITE39 says...

always wondered what it was for.n do it up n put cctv on it due the sorta ppl who hang around there,SURPRISED they AINT tried to take it n weigh iit in the sad heads,but yea restore it n puit a plaque on it to tell ppl y.im 40 yrs old n just thought it was a drinking fountain.GIVE THE LADS A PLAQUE ASWELL ON IT !!!!
always wondered what it was for.n do it up n put cctv on it due the sorta ppl who hang around there,SURPRISED they AINT tried to take it n weigh iit in the sad heads,but yea restore it n puit a plaque on it to tell ppl y.im 40 yrs old n just thought it was a drinking fountain.GIVE THE LADS A PLAQUE ASWELL ON IT !!!! BURNLEYITE39

7:39pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Good call says...

BURNLEYITE39 wrote:
always wondered what it was for.n do it up n put cctv on it due the sorta ppl who hang around there,SURPRISED they AINT tried to take it n weigh iit in the sad heads,but yea restore it n puit a plaque on it to tell ppl y.im 40 yrs old n just thought it was a drinking fountain.GIVE THE LADS A PLAQUE ASWELL ON IT !!!!
In English please?
[quote][p][bold]BURNLEYITE39[/bold] wrote: always wondered what it was for.n do it up n put cctv on it due the sorta ppl who hang around there,SURPRISED they AINT tried to take it n weigh iit in the sad heads,but yea restore it n puit a plaque on it to tell ppl y.im 40 yrs old n just thought it was a drinking fountain.GIVE THE LADS A PLAQUE ASWELL ON IT !!!![/p][/quote]In English please? Good call

4:56pm Fri 8 Mar 13

BURNLEYITE39 says...

OOPS I DID SEE THGE PLAQUE TODAY about the lad who risked his own life n ended up lossing it,its just some sad head has sprayed over it,restore it to its former glory to the lad i say !!!!!!!!
n good call........go take a running jump
OOPS I DID SEE THGE PLAQUE TODAY about the lad who risked his own life n ended up lossing it,its just some sad head has sprayed over it,restore it to its former glory to the lad i say !!!!!!!! n good call........go take a running jump BURNLEYITE39

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree