Monument memories, old and new

 In Geting involved, Heritage & history

Throughout these difficult days, Wellington Monument has continued to bring a sense of hope to us all. Seeing the works continue has been a lifeline for some. One local woman, who had to self-isolate, told us how she watches the works from her bedroom window with binoculars.

View from the top of the Wellington Monument with the capstone and scaffolding in the foreground

Wellington Monument capstone in place. Photo: National Trust

Around 1,500 stones have now been replaced. The new pyramidion blocks are much larger than the original to reduce water ingress. Some weigh as much as 1,800kg. The only piece of stone that could be re-used was the capstone at the very top of the Monument. On 21 October, on a grey drizzling day, a crane had to lift this stone to a height of 73 metres. It was then lowered to 53 metres and back into place with cheers from the onlookers. Coincidentally this was the anniversary of 203 years of the foundation stone being placed. A real moment in history for the Monument.

The scaffolding continues to impress; by some it is affectionally called the ‘Monument launch pad’. There are roughly 250 steps and one stonemason calculated that he had climbed the equivalent of Everest; he is now on the way down! The stone masons are all very proud to be working on this project. A few are local and see the work as their legacy.

Working towards our fundraising target

We are delighted with how much we’ve been able to raise so far and thank everyone for their generous donations. A further £380k is still to be raised.

We have been collecting donations in return for pieces of Monument stone that cannot be reused. Around £2,000 has been raised so far. People can either pick up their stone from the Monument volunteers on Sundays by the car park or from Odette’s tea-room in Wellington. One person has built a piece into his new fireplace. One fragment has been taken to Wellington, New Zealand, whilst another is being sent to someone whose Grandmother was born and bred in Wellington. The Grandmother calls Wellington Monument her ‘birthstone’.

Leave a message for a loved one in the heart of the Wellington Monument

I have heard from many locals and former residents, sharing with me a story of their time at the Monument. Whether it was a marriage proposal, walks to the Monument as a child or even being dangled from the port hole at the top! We are now inviting visitors and those who have a connection with this special place to write a letter of love, a memory or perhaps a story of their time at the Monument. The letter will then be placed between the stones. The National Trust is asking for a suggested minimum donation of £50 for each letter received. You will receive a card of thanks to either keep yourself or to give to the person you are writing the memory for.

Find out how to add your Monument memory

Things to do at the Wellington Monument

The car park at the Wellington Monument is currently open but spaces are limited so if there are no spaces, please come back another time.

We had originally planned to run scaffold platform tours for visitors to enjoy the views and see some of the damage that will be repaired. Social distancing rules prevent us from doing this for the time-being. Whilst these plans are on hold, we’ve created other ways for people to find out what’s happening.

Spotter sheet

Looking for something to do on your next trip to the Wellington Monument? A new Wellington Monument spotter sheet is available focusing on nature challenges and unusual items connected to the repair programme. You can download the sheet from the National Trust Wellington Monument webpage or from the National Trust app.

Wellington Monument audio guide

The story of the Wellington Monument is one with many ups and downs. It has been redesigned, rebuilt and struck by lighting twice. Yet this landmark has become a much-loved part of local life. Find out more about the restoration programme, how such expensive repairs came to be needed and why we’re still fundraising to protect it.

You can access the audio guide, using a mobile phone or computer, via the Wellington Monument page on National Trust website or as a podcast (via Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts).

Wellington Monument covered with scaffolding, with a tall crane beside it lifing the large capstone into place

Wellington Monument restoration. Photo: National Trust

Enthusiasm is infectious as we know. Maybe it is because we need a glimmer of hope; maybe it is because the project is coming to an end; maybe it is because people are remembering their times at the Monument; maybe it is because new memories are being created. Whatever it is, Wellington Monument is that place not just for the community but for anyone who has been part of it.