Winton war memorial gates go to new home

ROBYN EDIE/ID 123199

On the move: Winton's War Memorial gates being moved from their site on the main street to a new site in the town's Anzac oval.

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A seemingly formidable task to the untrained eye, the resiting of Winton's War Memorial Gates on Great North Rd went without a hitch on Saturday.

Calm sunny weather and diverted traffic aided the smooth transfer of the solid concrete gates built to commemorate World War 1.

There was considerable interest in the tricky 80m move along SH6.

This was a precision task carried out by a Works Infrastructure contracting team led by local manager Greg Stuart, of Winton.

The crane driver had to be spot on to align the six holes precision drilled in the base of the pillars with the foundations previously set in place to take the twin loads. Paul Harland drilled the holes expertly while lying on his back.

The twin concrete pillars built in the 1920s that support the elaborate ornamental iron gates were lifted by a crane, loaded on to a flat deck truck and hauled to the new site at the entrance of Anzac Oval. Each pillar weighs 6.5 to 7 tonnes.

Several members of the Winton RSA watched the operation. Immediate past president Len Gerrard was impressed and pleased with the move and the new location and Winton Community Board chairman John McHugh congratulated the team. "It was well co-ordinated and went without a hitch." He said he was also impressed with the realignment of the iron archway framework that bears the gates. Some painting has still to be carried out.

Mr McHugh said it was the biggest alteration of its type since the top was placed on the town's water tower several decades ago.

The moved was timed to have the memorial ready for Anzac Day commemorations.These were formerly held at the old site but increasing traffic flow and street changes had posed traffic difficulties.

- © Fairfax NZ News