Towering figure closed to public for a decade is opened again
ST DAVID’S DAY RE-OPENING AFTER HUGE RENOVATION
A TOWERING monument with some of the best views in Wales reopened last week after being shut to the public for a decade. Twr Marcwis/ Anglesey Column is a Napoleonic monument erected in 1817 to commemorate the heroic role of Henry William Paget, Earl of Uxbridge.
He fought alongside the Duke of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo (1815) and was honoured by the Prince Consort with the title Marquess of Anglesey. The 100ft tower later became a popular attraction.
The column site was closed in 2014 when the spiral stairs to the viewing area were found to be unsafe. It initially shut for ‘essential repairs’ with hopes it would not be closed for long, but months later became years and there were fears it would never open again.
But this St David’s Day the visitor centre opened after a major renovation project on the tower and centre. Visitors are again able to tackle the 115 steps to the viewing platform at the top.
Tony Starczewski, recently appointed Trustee, told our sister paper the Daily Post that this was a hugely important milestone in a five year project to restore a deteriorating monument and near derelict site.
He said: “A three quarter million pound grant was secured from the National Lottery Heritage fund in 2021 supplemented by local donations. Realising this project was the culmination of a huge effort and success by the founding members of the Anglesey Column Trust chaired by the current Marquess of Anglesey.
“The Grosvenor Construction Company was responsible for carrying out the work which was completed to a very high standard. The Anglesey Column site now includes a visitor centre and a cafe in close proximity to the column and its recently renovated spiral staircase, by which visitors can climb the 115 stairs of the 100ft column to access a viewing platform.
“This offers exceptional views of the Menai Strait, the two historic bridges and the immense beauty of the Eryri mountains. The column site also includes Blueschist rock, a nature trail, and an information point.
“The Column Site and Visitor Centre opened on Friday, March 1.”
More information can be found on the ‘Twr Marcwis Anglesey Column’ Facebook page with the website coming online soon.