The Anglesey Column Trust is looking ahead to an exciting 2023 as construction work starts on the Marquess of Anglesey’s Column renovation project.
In 2017, on the 200th anniversary of its opening, a campaign was launched to restore and reopen the Marquess of Anglesey’s Column in Llanfairpwll, Anglesey. Since then, close to £1.4 million has been raised, with the majority being from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the site is set to be reopened to visitors again in the autumn.
Alex Anglesey, 8th Marquess of Anglesey and Chair of the Anglesey Column Trust Committee, said:
“We are so excited to finally have spades in the ground at the Column site. Our construction team from Grosvenor Construction Ltd started work in November and we’re already seeing lots of progress.
“Work has started on replacing the rotten wooden stairs inside the Column. These are the original steps from over 200 years ago, with each step being slightly different, so they have to be hand finished to fit the narrow Column.
“The original cottage next to the Column has been cleared out and the old, dilapidated extension demolished. Overgrown vegetation has been removed and the foundations are being prepared for our new visitor centre, which will have a café, welcome area and an interpretation space, telling the stories of the Column, its unique features and the life and achievements of the First Marquess.
“One of the main drivers of this project was to provide better accessibility for all, so we’re particularly looking forward to starting the construction of a landscaped ramp up from the cottage to the base of the Column, where there will be a viewing platform to enable those who are disabled, or unable to climb the 115 steps, to share much of the experience of being at the top of the Column.
“We will also be upgrading the main Column car park on the A5 and introducing new signage, interpretation and welcome information guiding people up to the cottage, as well as carrying out improvements to the woodland around the hill, routes from the car park, fencing, stiles and pathways.
“We have received incredible support from the local community and elected members throughout the development of the project and are incredibly grateful to them. Crucially, of course, we would not be at this point without our funding partners.
“The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, gave us a substantial grant of £872,800. Match funding totalling £482,500 has been raised from a variety of other trusts and donations including local support from Magnox, the Anglesey Charitable Association and the Gaynor Cemlyn Jones Trust. We still have a small amount to raise through community fundraising and will be launching our campaign to do that in the next few weeks.”
Andrew White, Director of the National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales said:
“I’m thrilled that work can finally begin to restore The Marquess’ of Anglesey’s Column to its former glory. It is not just a familiar landmark for locals and visitors to Ynys Môn, it has a fascinating history to tell.”
It is anticipated that construction work will be completed at the end of September and the Column will re-open to the public later in the autumn.
