£500,000 of partnership funding has been secured from Highways England towards the restoration of the Wellington Monument in Somerset. This funding will help safeguard the future of the monument, achieving mutual outcomes of the two organisations by caring for the cultural landscape visible from the M5.
The money from Highways England’s Environmental Designated Funds will go towards the National Trust project to fully restore the monument and represents an important milestone towards reaching the fundraising target of £2million.
The tallest three-sided monument in the world, the Wellington Monument is clearly visible from the M5 and seen by millions travelling through Somerset every year.
The announcement was made by the Chairman of the National Trust Tim Parker at an event for National Trust supporters held at Apsley House (Number 1 London), the home of the first Duke of Wellington, now looked after by English Heritage.
National Trust Project Manager Helen Sharp said ‘There’s still another £1.2million to raise but this is a big step towards our target, and to be able to announce this in the home of the first Duke of Wellington, 201 years since work began on the monument feels very fitting.’
The monument has been fenced off for the past ten years and is in urgent need of repair. If the full fundraising total is met, the monument will be opened to the public once more.
Rebecca Pow, MP for Taunton Deane said ‘The monument is very important to the local community and it’s great that Highways England and National Trust are working in partnership to protect it. I’ve campaigned and supported this project from day one and this announcement represents a huge step towards being able to complete the conservation work planned at the monument.’
Work on Wellington Monument is due to start in spring 2019, beginning at the top of the monument to correct the most at-risk sections, and progressing down the monument as far as funding allows.
To find out more about the project visit nationaltrust.org.uk/wellington-monument-appeal
