Inscribed on the base are the names of those of the area who lost their lives in the two world wars.
The memorial is constructed of red sandstone.
Sandstone is made of sand grains (0.05mm to 2mm) that may have been deposited in the sea, by rivers, or in deserts, and later cemented together by minerals precipitated from groundwater. Most sandstones are made up largely of quartz grains, because quartz is a very hard and chemically-resistant mineral. Many sandstones contain some grains of other minerals like calcite, clay, or mica.
Sandstone has been used for domestic construction and housewares since prehistoric times, and continues to be used.
Sandstone was a popular building material from ancient times. It is relatively soft, making it easy to carve. It has been widely used around the world in constructing temples, homes, and other buildings. It has also been used for artistic purposes to create ornamental fountains and statues.
Some sandstones are resistant to weathering, yet are easy to work. This makes sandstone a common building and paving material including in asphalt concrete. However, some that have been used in the past, such as the Collyhurst sandstone used in North West England, have been found less resistant, necessitating repair and replacement in older buildings. Because of the hardness of individual grains, uniformity of grain size and friability of their structure, some types of sandstone are excellent materials from which to make grindstones, for sharpening blades and other implements. Non-friable sandstone can be used to make grindstones for grinding grain, e.g.,gritstone.
Physical weathering is the weakening and subsequent disintegration of rock by physical forces. These physical forces include temperature fluctuation, abrasion, frost action (freezing and thawing), and salt crystal growth.
Chemical weathering is the weakening and subsequent disintegration of rock by chemical reactions. These reactions include oxidation, hydrolysis, and carbonation. These processes either form or destroy minerals, thus altering the nature of the rock’s mineral composition.
Biological weathering is the weakening and subsequent disintegration of rock by plants, animals and microbes.
In order to claim this EarthCache please send us your answers to the following questions via email or through the Message Centre on our profile.
1. Looking at the carved face of the memorial, how much material do you think has been eroded by weathering and what type of weathering do you think it is?
2. Describe the texture of the two sections of the memorial - the cross and the plinth. Are there any differences? Do you think the presence of lichen has had a detrimental effect on the stone?
3. Estimate the size of the grains in the stone
4. As an optional extra, please post a photo of you or your GPS with the memorial in the background.