Lunchtime Meeting - 12.45pm - Speaker Rev Richard Hayes

Members of the Rotary Club of Oswestry  were thoroughly engaged by the excellent presentation by recent guest speaker The Reverend Richard Hayes, Chairman of the Friends of Lord Hill’s Column, Shrewsbury.

Financed by public subscription, the Column, the tallest Doric column in England (even taller than Nelson's), was completed in June 1816, the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, to recognise the valour of Rowland Lord Hill, Baron of Almarez in Spain, and of Hawkstone and Hardwick Grange, Shropshire at Waterloo and throughout the Peninsular War alongside Wellington, his friend and fellow General.

Demonstrating a terrific knowledge of his subject, Richard set out Lord Hill's achievements to illustrate why the soldier was universally loved and respected, both by his fellow soldiers and the people of Shrewsbury.

Now 200 years old, the statue is showing serious signs of age; for many years its owner, Shropshire Council, has sought ways to fund both the repair and maintenance of the Column and statue.  In 2013 the Friends of Lord Hill’s Column group was launched with the aim of helping to promote and look after the Column and raise funds to replace Lord Hill’s crumbling statue.

Moving on to outline his plans to the Club, Richard encouraged members to become a Friend of Lord Hill's Column "for only a fiver"; several were persuaded!  By expanding, the Friends will become a more significant influence on the fate of the Column.

In April, Richard is planning to raise funds by walking 75 miles.  Starting at Lord Uxbridge’s column on Anglesey and ending at Lord Hill’s column in Shrewsbury, he intends to walk the entire distance whilst 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, Richard aims to complete the walk in five days.

“I am doing this to support Shropshire Council in its fundraising programme so that we can start work replicating the statue this year - 200 years after the completion of the column."

The costs of the replacement are estimated to be around £500,000.

In Richard, the Friends of Lord Hill's Column have found a very enthusiastic and committed chairman.  The Club thanked him and wished him luck in his aim to restore one of Shropshire's most important examples of its military and cultural heritage.

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Lord Hill's Column, outside the Shirehall, is one of the most notable Shrewsbury landmarks. The tallest Doric column in England, standing at 133 ft 6 in (40.7 m), it commemorates Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount Hill, with a 17 ft (5.2 m) tall statue standing on the top of the column - the column is shorter than the 44.5m 'Monument to British Liberty' at Gibside, but the overall height of the column and statue is higher in total. The column was built between 1814 and 1816; its diameter is 2 ft (0.6 m) wider than Nelson's Column, and, not including the pedestal, is 15 ft (4.6 m) higher.

The structure once stood at the centre of crossroads, but the junction is now set aside from the column. It is possible to climb within the column using steps to reach the top.

The column is to be open to the public during the summer and autumn of 2015 as part of the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo, although you may be too late to book now!

Find out more about the Friends of Lord Hill's Column below