Medieval tower saved thanks to grant from HS2
ACRUMBLING medieval tower near Sutton Coldfield has been saved for decades to come thanks to the awarding of a grant to restore it.
The £70,000 grant from HS2’s Community & Environment Fund (CEF) has helped restore the 12th century Shenstone Tower, in the village of Shenstone, between Sutton and Lichfield.
The work includes the installation of a staircase to the top of the tower and a new viewing platform on the roof offering panoramic views of the village and surrounding countryside.
The tower and adjacent church were originally built in the 12th century using bricks carved from local red sandstone.
The renovations have restored parts of the tower walls back to how they would have originally looked when first erected 900 years ago.
Jeremy Cotton, chairman of Shenstone Tower trustees, said: “The old church tower was neglected, with crumbling masonry and trees growing out of the walls. We knew it was within four to
five years of a catastrophic masonry fall. Thanks to the funding, we’ve been able to restore the tower and make it accessible to the public.
“The renovation includes a new platform on the roof, so people can climb to the top and get a great view of the local area, and 13 historical information boards, which tell the history of the local community since Saxon times.”
Helen Wass, head of historical environment at HS2 Ltd, said: “HS2’s wider historic environment programme is the largest in the UK and seeks to advance understanding of the past, creating knowledge, engaging communities and leaving a lasting legacy.
“By funding the restoration, we are contributing to the valuable work of the Friends of Shenstone Towers and helping the local community to celebrate their heritage.”
Cathy Elliot, independent chair of HS2 Funds, said: “The restoration is a fantastic initiative driven by a group of dedicated volunteers from the local community. Thanks to a variety of fundraising efforts and funders, it can continue to serve the local community for decades to come.”