Engineers to carry out inspection of Lord Hill’s statue
The statue of Lord Hill on top of The Column in Shrewsbury will be inspected by structural engineers on Monday (22 April 2013) after several small pieces of stone fell from the statue during the heavy winds of Wednesday night, with some landing outside the safety fencing which currently surrounds The Column.
Engineers will go up in a cherry picker to inspect the current condition of the statue and to decide if any action is needed to help prevent further debris falling to the ground, including the possibility of covering the statue in netting.
The base of the Column is currently surrounded by safety fencing after pieces of stone fell from the statue in April 2012 and again in December 2012. However, as the perimeter of the fencing can’t be further extended, other options are now being considered to help protect passers-by.
Conservation experts Taylor Pearce carried out an inspection of the statue in November 2012 and their report – which looks at a range of future options for the statue, including repairing it or replacing it with a replica – is currently being considered by English Heritage.
Rob Wagstaffe, property service manager with Shropshire Council said:
“Lord Hill famously fought in a number of battles, but his biggest enemy at the moment is the weather. In the past few months heavy rain, frost and now wind have caused pieces to break off the statue.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety of people passing by the Column so we’ve called in structural engineers to carry out a further assessment of the statue and to offer their professional advice about what action can be taken.”
The inspection is due to start at around 9am, weather permitting.
More information about Lord Hill and The Column can be found on the Lord Hill’s Column, Shrewsbury Facebook page.
About The Column and Lord Hill
Completed in June 1816 The Column was erected in honour of the Right Honourable Rowland Lord Hill, Baron of Almarez in Spain, and of Hawkstone and Hardwick Grange, Shropshire; Commander-in-Chief of the British Army; a General in the Army; Governor of Plymouth, and Colonel of the Horse Guards Blue.
Born at Prees Hall, near Hawkstone in April 1772, Lord Hill fought alongside the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo. The Column was erected to recognise his valour in this and other campaigns. He died at Hardwicke Grange near Shrewsbury in December 1842 and was buried in the churchyard at Hadnall.
The first stone was laid on December 27 1814 by the Salopian Lodge of Free Masons assisted by deputies from adjoining lodges, on the festival of St. John the Evangelist. The last stone was laid on 18 June 1816 the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo. The total expense was 5,972 pounds, 13 shillings and 2 pence.
The Grade II listed Column is the largest Grecian Doric column in the world, at 133 feet 6 inches. Its diameter is two feet wider than Nelson’s Column and, not including the pedestal, it is 13 feet higher.
