You wouldn’t think it during a Saturday night in Church Street but Preston is the place where teetotalism began.

A memorial to the movement, popular during Victorian times, is now a listed monument.

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Preston’s Abstinence Memorial in the city’s Cemetery, in Ribbleton, has been given grade-II listed status by Historic England.

Put up in 1859 the memorial marks how the city, under Joseph Livesey, was the meeting point for the Preston Temperance Society in September 1832.

It’s surrounded by the monuments to Temperance activists, including Livesey.

Cabinet member for planning and regulation at Preston City Council councillor Peter Moss said: “We’re delighted that the Abstinence Memorial in Preston Cemetery has been recognised by Historic England and will now be Grade II listed.

“The importance of Preston Cemetery and how its monuments map Preston’s social history since Victorian times cannot be underestimated.

“If Prestonians want to learn more about the memorial, plus other fascinating facts, they can come along to history tours of the Cemetery during the Heritage Open Day weekend in September.”

Read more: Missing Joseph Livesey plaque turns up on auction site

Historic England decided to make the monument part of its list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest.

Their move came after members of the public nominated memorials across the country to be looked at.

Chief executive of Historic England Duncan Wilson said: “We are very grateful that so many people took the time to tell us about memorials in their communities and the stories behind them.

“At a time when our national statues and memorials are under increasing scrutiny, we’re delighted to shine a light on these often undiscovered and under-appreciated markers of our past. Every one of those that’s been nominated has a local champion and someone who cares about it and about the story it tells.

“It’s important for us all to know who has been commemorated in our public spaces and what this can tell us about our history, as we look at how public memorials are evolving today.”

Read more: Plaque remembering Joseph Livesey passed to the university

What do you think about the monument being listed? Let us know your views in the comments below