Historic churches – the conservation and repair of ecclesiastical buildings. The building conservation directory special report on historic buildings.

On the centenary of the outbreak of the first world war, this 21st annual edition of Historic Churches includes a series thought-provoking articles that consider the UK´s war memorials. Whether in stone or stained glass, bronze statuary or oil paint on canvas, ‘The Glorious Dead’ as they are described on Lutyens´Cenotaph, have been immortalized in a remarkable variety of media and styles. Oldham War Memorial, crowned by a bronze sculptural group by Albert Toft, also housed an unusual book of remembrance which, using a concealed mechanism, displayed a daily roll call of the names of the city´s sons lost on that date. Recently conserved, reinstated and, sadly, expanded to include the names of more recent losses, the pages of the book are turning once more. The revival of Oldham War Memorial, along with hundreds of others which are being cleaned and conserved ahead of the centenary events and services, is a reminder of the continuing relevance of this facet of the UK´s heritage. Toft´s delicately posed soldiers present an idealized view of war and Lutyens´use of the word ‘glorious’ may now strike a discordant note, but these representations point to one of the many reasons why war memorials need to be conserved – they are a reminder not only of the brave sacrifice of those killed but also of the ways in which wars are woven, often romantically, into national narratives.