WHILE the National Trust and its members debate whether or not to allow fox hunting on its properties, it is disappointing that some of its spectacular heritage assets continue to deteriorate.
Both the Lansdowne Monument above Calne and the Wellington Obelisk are two examples. The Lansdowne Monument was built by my ancestor in 1845. The estate sold the farm and the monument almost 70 years ago.
In 1988 the trust bought both the obelisk and the surrounding Iron Age fort.
On acquisition, the trust spent £220,000 restoring the 125-foot structure, but sadly, just 17 years later, put scaffolding around the base of the column to protect visitors from falling masonry. It has sadly been shrouded with this protective shield for the past eight years.
Each year the structure deteriorates further and restoration costs increase. The monument is now included in Historic England’s Buildings At Risk register.
Surely it is now time for the trust to turn its attention to maintaining its historic assets, rather than being side-tracked by quasi-political issues?
Lord Lansdowne
Bowood