Only three years ago, the future of the memorial to Thomas Jeffcock , an engineer and relation of Sheffield's first Mayor, looked extremely doubtful. After being moved to Ecclesfield Park it had become a target for graffiti and vandalism.
After being contacted by local people, MP Angela Smith sent out an appeal for funds to get it restored.
Up stepped William Jeffcock, great nephew of Thomas Jeffcock, to donate money to get the memorial restored and returned to Ecclesfield Church. With the help of Sheffield City Council Parks Department, local people and the church, the memorial now proudly looks out on Ecclesfield, once more completely restored to it former glory.
Commenting on its restoration, Angela Smith said,
"When local residents showed me the state the memorial had got into I frankly thought there was little hope of saving it. However, I was amazed when William Jeffcock came forward and offered his help to save the memorial. With the help of Sheffield City Council, local people and the church things moved quickly and the memorial was saved. With the graffiti removed, the marble repaired and a new finial it now looks resplendent in its new environment in front of the church. However, anyone who thinks they may fancy the finial please note that this one is only base metal and is worthless."
The memorial commemorates The Jeffcocks an old mining and engineering family from Handsworth and Chapeltown. William Jeffcock was the 1st Mayor of Sheffield in 1843, and his brother John married Catherine Parkyn, the Lady of the Manor of Darley. They lived in Cowley Manor near Chapeltown.
It is made of granite with four inscriptions bearing the names and dates of members of the Jeffcock family. It was first dedicated in 1903 when it was positioned in the alcove in the church wall.
