Wellies for the Welly!
As part of a fundraising campaign to help restore the Wellington Monument, we at Blackdown Hills AONB, been wearing our wellies for the Wellington Monument.
The National Trust is raising money to return the Wellington Monument to its original stature and make it a more enjoyable place to visit. The intention is to start work on the most damaged parts, repair the top third, and correct the bulging north face. Then the work will carry on down while fundraising takes place. If enough money is raised the repairs will reach ground level and the Monument will once again open to visitors.
The National Trust invited the local community to show their support for the Wellington Monument by wearing their wellies to work or school today and donating money to the appeal fundraising appeal.
So here we are – suited and welly-booted!
Blackdown Hills AONB team
An update on the campaign
The Wellington Monument is now one of the National Trust’s top three fundraising priorities. Director general of the National Trust, Hilary McGrady, visited the Wellington Monument recently to hear from the local project team about the progress of the fundraising campaign and the plans to secure its future.
So far, the National Trust has successfully secured £2.1 million, with generous donations still coming in. The Trust is continuing to fundraise and apply for grants.
The National Trust plans to repair the Wellington Monument with the same type of stone that was originally used to build it. When it is freshly cut this stone is a very light cream colour. That means we’ll initially be able see where the repairs have been made. However, over time, lichen will spread over the new stone, forming a protective layer and darkening its colour so it will blend in with the original stone.
Emergency propping is now in place to secure the north face of the Monument. The scaffolding is currently being designed, ready for installation next summer. It is hoped the scaffolding will include a viewing platform too.
We’ll be sure to keep you posted with further developments – so watch this space!
Donate to the Wellington Monument campaign
