Lord Hill’s statue in Shrewsbury set to be repaired
The 198-year-old statue of Lord Hill on top of The Column in Shrewsbury is to be repaired and repainted, after small pieces of masonry fell from the statue in April 2012, December 2012 and again in April 2013.
But with experts estimating that the statue will require further repairs every five to ten years, Shropshire Council is asking people for their views about its long-term future.
Conservation experts Taylor Pearce carried out an inspection of the statue in November 2012 to assess its condition at that time and to suggest future options.
Their report – which looks at a range of options for the statue, including repairing it or replacing it with a replica – has been considered by English Heritage over the past few months, and their recommendation is that the statue be repaired.
In readiness for the repair work, scaffolding is due to be erected around the Column in early August.
Tenders for the work will now be invited and the repair work on the 17ft-tall statue will begin once a contractor for the work has been appointed and they have indicated the timescales involved.
Work would need to be carried out before the cold winter weather arrives. If the contractor feels that this isn’t possible, work will be delayed until next spring, and the scaffolding will remain in place until work is completed.
Once a contractor is appointed and the cost of the work is known, Shropshire Council plans to apply to English Heritage for a grant of up to 25% towards the costs.
Once the scaffolding starts to go up, the perimeter of the safety fencing that currently surrounds the base of The Column will be reduced, allowing pedestrians to once again access Preston Street, and allowing access to Shirehall via Processional Way.
A second inspection of statue was carried out by structural engineers in April 2013 after several pieces of stone fell to the ground in heavy winds. They found that the statue’s condition has deteriorated since it was inspected in November 2012, almost certainly as a result of the extremely cold, wet and windy weather experienced since then.
Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, said:
“After being exposed to the elements for nearly 200 years, Lord Hill is clearly in a bad way and we need to do something to stop any more bits falling off the statue, and to make the area around the Column safe for passers-by.
“As English Heritage have recommended that the statue be repaired in situ, we’ll now carry out the necessary repairs as soon as possible. But as further repairs are likely to needed in five to 10 years we want people to tell us now what they think should be done with the statue in the long-term.
“The Column was paid for by public subscription so we want to know what the public think. Should it be repaired on an ongoing basis? Should it be replaced with a replica? Should the Council – and therefore Council Tax payers – pay for any future work? We really want to know what people think.”
People can raise comments and questions about the future of the statue on the Lord Hill’s Column, Shrewsbury Facebook page or by emailing lord.hill@shropshire.gov.uk.
A public meeting is also being planned for later this year at which people will be able to find out more about the planned repair, learn more about Lord Hill and The Column, ask questions, and have their say.
About the planned repair work
In their inspection report, Taylor Pearce made the following comments about the chosen ‘repair in situ’ option.
“If work were to proceed then close examination of the sculpture would allow for a full assessment of repairs.
“The left arm is most definitely beyond saving given that the severe fracturing throughout the arm has been repaired in the past and is continuing to disintegrate, there is little point trying to save what is left of the original material. The left arm has a lot of surface fills and no original Coade surface detail is visible.
“Similarly, the hand and drapery in this area is failing and could be cut out and replaced with cement cast replicas.
“The stainless steel armature holding the left arm can remain and additional stainless steel armatures drilled and inserted where necessary.
“The cracked render and surface fills would be investigated and any loose or hollow render removed and subsequently replaced.
“With the damaged render and fills removed the structure beneath can be assessed and where necessary epoxy resin injected into any fissures to try to consolidate the substrate.
“Following repair the sculpture can be repainted, with Keim paints as previously, or with another system if considered appropriate.”
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.
More information about Lord Hill and The Column can be found on the Lord Hill’s Column, Shrewsbury Facebook page.
