Memorial to sacrifices of the police is restored
NAMES OF THE FALLEN GIVEN SOME LOVE AND MUCH RESPECT
A COMMEMORATIVE board to honour fallen Leicestershire police officers has been lovingly restored.
The force’s security manager Adrian Simpson was approached to do the work by Benevolent Fund administrator Dominique Allen as she was aware of his interest in restoration.
The board, which is believed to have been situated in the reception area of Mansfield House Police Station, in Belgrave Gate, since the 1950s, has been restored ready for a centenary memorial event taking place today at force headquarters.
Adrian understood the importance of the restoration and spent more than five hours a day on the project after his busy shifts.
The first part of the process was to remove all the layers of old varnish. So many layers had been applied over the years that lettering on the left-hand side was nearly obliterated.
The amount of varnish made it almost impossible to identify what type of wood the sign was made from.
Adrian then hand sanded the whole board and recarved the intricate lettering. He said this was the most time-consuming part of the process because going too deep would have damaged the wood but he had to make sure the lettering was visible again. The board was then given five layers of beeswax, each applied by hand. The repainting of the former Leicester City Police crest was the final stage and Adrian mixed all of the paint himself to ensure the colours were exactly right.
He said there wasn’t a brush fine enough to paint the gold crowns so he used a cotton wool bud for precision. Chief Constable Simon Cole said: “I can’t thank Adrian enough for completing this restoration project so brilliantly and so quickly, too. He’s done a truly wonderful job. “It is important for us to remember that these officers gave up their lives and this restoration project is an opportunity to demonstrate our respect and thanks.”
Adrian said: “It was well worth the effort to restore the board and honour those who have fallen.”
Dominique added: “Adrian has done superb work and I believe that it’s right and proper that the sacrifice made by these men is remembered for a long time to come.”
These officers gave up their lives and this restoration project is an opportunity to demonstrate our respect