Restoration Work.

The Trust has always intended to restore the folly as it was when built, except that it will be stronger at the top, as it was felt that the original design was partly to blame for the collapse of the top part in 1989 and possibly earlier in the 20 th century.

The Trust appointed Baart Harries Newall of Shrewsbury as its architects in 2001 and Mark Newall drew up the plans for the restoration. The main change to the original design was to the staircase. The original stair was a wooden one, going from side to side round the inside of the tower, but in order to make it more vandal proof a metal stair has been designed. Towards the top this will become a spiral stair which will lead the visitor to the platform at the top through a hexagonal glass dome. The visitor will be able to walk all round the platform and enjoy the view in all four directions from the corners of the tower.

Listed Building Consent was granted by South Shropshire District Council. In April 2003 the Trust went out to tender for the building works, to be sure of asking for enough money from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Messrs I J Preece, of Hereford and Shrewsbury , were the successful tenderers and work commenced in April 2004. Supplies of stone are being obtained from Coleford in the Forest of Dean and all the work will be bedded in lime putty mortar.

The contract is for 36 weeks and it is hoped that the restoration will be finished before the end of the year.