Experts get ready to inspect statue of Lord Hill
Conservation experts will carry out an inspection of the statue of Lord Hill on top of The Column in Shrewsbury next Wednesday, 21 November 2012.
The inspection will be carried out by Taylor Pearce Restoration Services Ltd, who will use a cherry picker to reach the statue on top of the 133ft-tall column.
The inspection is being carried out to assess the current condition of the 17ft-tall statue, and to determine if repairs are needed, after a small piece of masonry fell from it in April.
Between 9am and 5pm on 21 November, Processional Way – which leads from The Column to the Crown Court – will be closed while the inspection is carried out, but access to Shirehall and the Court will be maintained.
Once the inspection has been carried out a report will be prepared for Shropshire Council, detailing whether repairs are to the statue are required.
Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, said:
“This work may cause a little inconvenience but I hope our staff and visitors to Shirehall and the courts will bear with us while the experts from Taylor Pearce are an incredible 133ft up in the air carrying out this important inspection.
“We’ve done all we can to make sure that this essential work is carried out as quickly and cheaply as possible. We’re using the same specialists as two years ago – who will be able to use their 2010 findings as a starting point, rather than beginning from scratch – and we’re using a cherry picker for one day rather than erecting scaffolding around the Column, will also save a lot of time and money.”
Hannah Fraser, Shropshire Councillor for Abbey Ward said:
“People are really concerned that Lord Hill’s statue might end up costing us a lot of money, and it’s not long since the last repairs were done. I’d be really interested to hear people’s views on what should happen to this iconic landmark.”
The overall cost of arranging and carrying out the inspection, and preparing the follow-up report, will be an estimated £20,000 maximum.
Photos of the inspection work will be added to a new Lord Hill’s Column 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.
The statue is made of Coade stone, which was often described as artificial stone in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
