Ellesmere Memorial, Leigh Road, Worsley (Architectural Competition)

Shortly after the death of the first Earl a subscription was opened "chiefly among the Ellesmere tenants" to fund a memorial and a committee was appointed. In February 1858 the committee advertised for designs, specifying a number of conditions. These were that the design should not be a statue, that it should cost £1,800 and that it should be "substantial and durable rather than elaborate and ornamental, and that it should easily be seen from a distance." Of the 161 designs submitted six were chosen for examination by the referee, Edward Barry. First prize went to London architects Driver and Webber, with second to John Lowe of Manchester and third to Edward Bassett Keeling.