Vicar's Hill bent on 75-mile fundraiser for Shrewsbury statue

The Reverend Richard Hayes, chairman of the Friends of Lord Hill's Column, is planning to walk 75 miles.

He will start at Lord Uxbridge's column in Anglesey and end his marathon walk at Lord Hill's column in Shrewsbury. Not only is he planning to walk the entire distance but he will be doing so while wearing the full period uniform of the 23rd Foot, Royal Welch Fusiliers – one of the regiments commanded by Lord Hill during the Peninsular War and at Waterloo.

Setting out on Monday, April 4, he plans to complete the walk in five days, along with Nigel Hill, a distant relative of Lord Hill.

He will end the marathon trek at the iconic Lord Hill Column opposite Shirehall in Shrewsbury at midday on Saturday, April 9. Mr Hayes said: "I am doing this to support Shropshire Council in its fundraising programme so that we can start work replicating the statue this year, the bicentennial year of the completion of the column.

"In 1814 the people of Shropshire raised the £5,973.13s.2d required to build the column and create the statue to honour Shropshire's most famous General, Lord Hill, and we owe it to our local historical celebrity to maintain this notable example of Shropshire's military and cultural heritage.

"Lord Hill's Column is a monument of national importance, designed by local architect Edward Haycock. It was the only commemorative column in the country to be erected while the war with Napoleon was still raging and its hero still alive. Properly maintained, the column and statue could and should be a prominent element in Shropshire's tourism industry."

As owners of the Grade 2* listed Lord Hill statue and column, Shropshire Council has a responsibility for maintaining the structure. The statue has had a number of significant repairs and the council, along with the Friends of Lord Hill Column, are now seeking support to replace it.

Costs of the replacement are estimated at around £500,000.