Shropshire Star

Bird's eye view of Shrewsbury and beyond from the top of Lord Hill's Column

[gallery] On a clear day Mount Snowdon can be seen from the top of Lord Hill's Column in Shrewsbury.

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And about 540 people have booked to climb up the 172 steps inside the 200-year-old monument and see for themselves this weekend.

The event, part of Heritage Open Days, marks the first time the famous landmark – which offers panoramic views of the Shropshire countryside including The Wrekin, Shrewsbury Abbey and Haughmond Hill – has been open in years and follows months of restoration work after bits of masonry began falling from the ageing statue.

The column was built between 1814 and 1816 to commemorate General Rowland, Lord Hill of Hawkstone and Almaraz, who was the Duke of Wellington's most trusted general in the Peninsular War and at Waterloo and who became Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in 1828.

Richard Hayes, chairman of the Friends of Lord Hill's Column, said the first open day – which took place yesterday – also marked the Friends' first birthday.

He added: "It's been a real success so far and we are delighted to offer people the chance to go inside.

"It is our hope that we will be able to open the column on a regular basis except in the winter months.

"There is so much public interest in going inside and this is the first time it has been open for some years.

"In recent months, the column has been repaired on a temporary basis with all the ironwork and staircase rails being repainted and the surroundings thoroughly tidied up."

The original iron railings run around the centre of the spiral staircase. Each have an engraved letter that states the foundation stone was laid on December 27, 1814 – on the anniversary of the "glorious battle" of Waterloo.

Ruth Marshall, 46, of Shrewsbury, said: "I've always lived here and have never been up so I popped out on my lunch break. It's got such great views."

June Jennings, of Shrewsbury and a member of the Friends group, said: "It is a landmark for anyone coming into Shrewsbury and it's very safe. I took my daughter and her friends up there 25 years ago – it's great to see it open and so many people interested in it."

Rob Clarke, 40, of Bicton near Shrewsbury, said: "It's fantastic to see the whole Shropshire plain from the top." Shropshire Council, with support by The Friends of Lord Hill's Column, is to bid for national grants worth tens of thousands of pounds to help fully restore the Column and could make a first application next year.

The Friends are asking residents and visitors to join them for a lifetime cost of £5 to help support the council in their bid to replace the statue.

For more information about Lord Hill's Column, visit the Lord Hill's Column Facebook page, or email any questions to lord.hill@shropshire.gov.uk

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