In March 2025, GraveClean, the UK’s leading headstone and war memorial cleaning company, was proud to carry out the professional cleaning and restoration of the Lydford-on-Fosse Parish Council War Memorial in Somerset.
The Parish Council commissioned GraveClean to help preserve the monument’s heritage, ensuring the names of those who served and sacrificed during both World Wars remain clearly visible for generations to come.
A Monument of Remembrance
The Lydford-on-Fosse War Memorial, located in the heart of the village, stands as a timeless reminder of the local men who lost their lives in the service of their country. Exposed to decades of weathering, biological growth, and environmental staining, the stone had gradually darkened — obscuring the engraved lettering and diminishing the visual impact of this important historical feature.
Recognising the need for specialist care, the Parish Council appointed GraveClean for its reputation as a trusted nationwide provider of sympathetic memorial cleaning and conservation services.
The Cleaning and Conservation Process
Every war memorial tells a story — and preserving that story requires careful expertise.
GraveClean’s trained and insured technicians began the process with a full condition assessment and risk evaluationto ensure all work complied with conservation best practices and the War Memorials Trust’s guidelines.
The cleaning itself was carried out using:
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pH-neutral, non-acidic cleaning solutions safe for historical stonework,
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Soft natural-bristle brushes and low-pressure rinsing, avoiding any surface abrasion,
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Manual detail work around inscriptions and carvings to restore legibility without damage.
In keeping with GraveClean’s professional standards, all products used were environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and approved for use on heritage sites.
Once complete, the difference was striking — the pale stone surface was bright and even once again, the engraved names stood clear, and the memorial regained its rightful dignity at the centre of the village.
Respecting the Past, Preserving for the Future
Chair representatives of Lydford-on-Fosse Parish Council expressed their thanks following the completion of the work, noting the sensitivity and professionalism shown by the GraveClean team throughout the project.
At GraveClean, we take great pride in helping local councils, churches, and families across the UK maintain their memorials with care, dignity, and technical precision. Whether restoring a village war memorial or cleaning a family headstone, our mission is to preserve memory through maintenance.
About GraveClean
GraveClean is the UK’s national specialist in headstone cleaning, war memorial restoration, and lettering repair.
Our technicians are SIAM-trained, NAMM-certified, and fully insured — offering safe, compliant work that meets or exceeds conservation standards.
From one-off cleans to annual maintenance programmes, we serve councils, churches, crematoria, and private families nationwide.
To learn more about our war memorial cleaning services, or to request a quotation, visit www.graveclean.co.uk.
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