Rodney’s Pillar under threat
Time
A public meeting on on Tuesday night was attended by about 40 people who are concerned that Rodney’s Pillar could even be closed off due to fears over its safety.
The problem stems from no-one being able to identify who actually owns the historic Grade II listed landmark which has proudly stood tall over the entry to Wales since 1782.
Over 230 years of harsh border weather have taken their toll on the 16m structure and the absence of a lightening conductor makes it a health and safety headache.
However, Tuesday’s meeting demonstrated a groundswell of support for the monument which was built to commemorate the naval victories of Sir George Brydges Rodney, Admiral of the White.
Local Councillor Lucy Roberts said the possibility of closing off the monument in the future is one that would be in the hands of the landowner, but she added that work will need to be carried out “in the next couple of years”.
“The issue is that a survey has identified that significant work is needed on the Pillar in the next couple of years to keep it safe,” she said. “Most urgent is the lack of a lightening conductor. “Unfortunately, it hasn't been possible to identify ownership of the Pillar so the only way of getting work done would be through a public body, either CADW or the Council come to mind.
“There was interest in setting up a community or friends group to carry out more research, possibly carry out activities such as litter picking in order to demonstrate local interest in the hope that this would encourage these public bodies to get involved.
“There was also discussion about including the hill forts and gypsy monument if additional information was to be researched and promoted locally.”
Rodney’s Pillar was built in its current location by local tradesmen to mark the role of Montgomeryshire in providing the oak shipped down the River Severn to Bristol where Admiral Rodney’s fleet was built.
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