The Wellington Monument on the Blackdown Hills in Somerset
must be one of the most well-known, if not the most well-known, landmarks
visible from the M5 south of Bristol.
Over the years millions of people must have viewed it as they travelled
through the Vale of Taunton Deane. Therefore,
it is disappointing that the Heritage Lottery Fund has turned down an
application for a contribution to the sorely needed funds required to carry out
repairs to this striking monument.*
 |
| The Wellington Monument on the Blackdown Hills in Somerset. |
A National Trust information board at the monument explains
why the repairs are needed. It states:
“A combination of its exposed position, unique shape, varying quality of
construction and failed repairs has contributed to the current poor state it is
in”.
 |
| A section of stonewall halfway up the Wellington Monument. Apparently there are voids in the rubble filled walls which presumably exacerbate the problems caused by the ingress of rainwater. |
Erected in honour of The Duke of Wellington, the victor at
Waterloo, the monument has a chequered history.
Suggested in 1815, it was not completed to its present height of 174ft
until 1892 due to intermittent funding and the need for repairs following a
lightning strike in 1846. It was
originally planned to have a statue of the Duke of Wellington at the top of the
triangular column with 24 cannons and granite lions at its base. There was also a proposal for three homes for
Waterloo veterans, who would act as caretakers, to be built within the
monument’s base. No statue, veterans’
cottages or lions were forthcoming and although 4 cannons were installed in
1910 they were removed in 1940. Today there
is only 1 cannon on site, it was installed in 1984.
The National Trust took over the monument, and twelve and a
half acres of surrounding land, in 1933.
By 1966 another sixty-two acres were in the care of the Trust. From the spacious car park it is a pleasant,
level walk through an avenue of trees to the monument where you can glimpse
views over the Vale of Taunton Deane with the Quantocks, Brendons and Exmoor
beyond.
No comments:
Post a Comment