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| The Sir John Barrow
Monument is Ulverston’s most recognisable landmark. It can be seen from many
miles and has become a symbol for the town it stands guard over.
It was built in 1850 as a memorial to Sir John on the 430 ft high summit
of Hoad Hill where it commands superb views over Morecambe Bay and the mountains
of the Lake District and Pennines. |
| The
Sir John Barrow Monument as it is correctly called, has been known by various
names over the years, including The Lighthouse without a Light, The
Guardian Angel of Ulverston, The Pepper Pot and is more familiarly known
today as The Hoad Monument. |
| Sited approximately one mile from Morecambe Bay, the Monument at 100 ft high. It is built of limestone quarried from nearby Birkrigg Common. It was modelled on the Eddystone Lighthouse that was built in 1759 by John Smeaton. The Monument has an internal spiral staircase of 112 narrow steps leading to the lantern chamber. Until recently this chamber, which has never had a functional light, was open to all sides but it is now fully glazed. Sir John Barrow’s two sons, Sir George Barrow and John Barrow laid the foundation stone on 15th May 1850. This was undoubtedly a memorable day in Ulverston's long history, when 8,000 citizens climbed Hoad Hill for the ceremony. |
| “I
shall never forget the laying of that stone - all Ulverston and
neighbourhood turned out. There was
a military band from Preston, in full uniform beside the local town
band…..” Robert Casson, writing in 1889, on the laying of the foundation
stone of the Sir John Barrow Monument. |
|
SITING
THE MONUMENT |
| Various places were suggested for the Monument site including Black Combe (suggested by its owner the Earl of Lonsdale), Bigland Heights (suggested by Captain Bigland but later withdrawn), Chapel Island, Birkrigg, Hammerside Hill, Outrake and The Flan. Colonel Bigland, in a long letter to the Admiralty, explained the reasons why the Monument could not be sited at Bigland, as it could not be seen from the whole of Ulverston bay. He then suggested Hoad Hill as this could be seen both from the bay and from the entrance to the canal. A report compiled by Captain Washington concluded that “Hoad is the best spot not only to act as a sea mark, but also because it is a popular landmark, with the townsfolk; cottage, church and school being visible from it, and it was a favourite resort of Sir John in his youth”. |
| Trinity House wanted a monument that would be a useful sea mark for navigation, and gave their approval on 20th Feb 1850. They also gave a very generous donation of £100. The total cost of the Monument was £1,250 that was primarily covered by public subscription - click here for details. There are letters in the albums (archived in the Barrow Records Office) covering the siting and building of the Monument. The architect was Andrew Trimen and the contractors were Messrs. George Smith and Jacob Appleford of London. Local labour was used for the construction. |
| Articles of agreement for building were drawn up in 1850 between Sir George Staunton, Sir George Barrow (son of Sir John), William Wood, George Smith and Jacob Appleyard builder of Pimlico. Stone from Birkrigg and bricks from the brick kiln at Conishead or Poulton were used. During building, concerns were expressed over the state of the foundations and the agreements in the specifications not being met. The gravel which was to be mixed with the concrete was considred to be too small and this precipitated an inspection by the committee. We can only assume that all was well as the Monument still stands proudly today. The original plans show an ‘appartment’ which was constructed in the basement of the Monument to house the lighthouse keeper. It included facilities for a fire. |
|
OPENING
DAY |
| On
the day of the foundation stone laying, the streets of Ulverston were
colourfully decorated, the Parish Church bells rang out and the Ulverston Brass
Band played in the Market Square. At
1.00 pm a Sergeant Major of the Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry Cavalry
marshalled the parade and set it on its route to Hoad.
Before the stone laying, hymns were sung and afterwards Sir George Barrow
was handed a silver trowel, together with a bottle containing current coins of
the Realm ‑ Half Farthing, Farthing, Half Penny, Penny, Four Penny, Six
Penny, Shilling, Florin, Half Crown, Crown, Half Sovereign and Sovereign
together with a copy of the Ulverston Advertiser which were deposited in a
prepared cavity. The building was
completed on 9th January 1851. Susceptible
to damage by lightning, the Monument was struck on 30th January 1851 very
shortly after completion. The Monument is now fitted with a lightening
conductor. |
| 19th
CENTURY VANDALISM! |
| The
Monument’s regulations specified no smoking and no cutting or inscribing names
in the stonework. Fires could be
lit twice a week for six months from 15th October to 15th
April. Despite these regulations
damage through vandalism to the stonework and door occurred as early as 1851 and
substantial re-pointing was required as early as 1853.
A tablet with a list of subscribers was added internally in 1855.
Complaints were registered by 1873 that the paths along Hoad Hill were
not being kept in order. |
| FIRE
CAUSES DAMAGE |
| Local
people celebrated Queen Victoria’s Jubilee in 1900 by lighting a fire on Hoad
Hill, unfortunately siting the beacon next to the Monument.
The heat generated from the fire caused considerable damage to the
surface of the Monument which resulted in the entire edifice being encased in
limestone rendering to protect the building against damp. |
| CENTENARY
CELEBRATIONS |
| On 15th May 1950, Ulverston townspeople paid tribute to Sir John by marking the centenary of the laying of the Foundation Stone. Hundreds of people gathered on Hoad Hill and watched the Chairman of Ulverston District Council, Mr. Henry Simpson break the Union Flag which was presented by the Admiralty for the occasion. Mr. Harry Birkett J.P. delivered the oration on the life and work of Sir John. |
| CLOSURES
AND REPAIRS |
| Due to external structural defects the Monument was closed to the public in 1969 whilst the outer skin was encased in reinforced cement at a cost of £7,000. This money was raised by public subscription, on an appeal by the Urban District Council. Once again, many people climbed Hoad Hill for the re-opening |
| Electric spotlights were added between 1990 and 2000 and were paid for by the Ulverston Partnership which instituted a campaign to raise the funds. Generous sponsorship from local people and companies provided the funding to take this forward. This means that the Monument can be seen at night from many miles. The Monument lighting was previously powered by a generator stored in the base of the Monument. This was lit every evening in the winter months by the keeper and councillors driving to the top of Hoad Hill with a supply of petrol to fuel the generator. |
| 150
YEAR CELEBRATIONS |
| 150th Year Celebrations of the building of the Monument took place in the summer of 2000. Organised by Welfare State International, the magnificent celebrations included Nelson abseiling from the top of the monument, bands, re-constructions of the life of Sir John Barrow, street theatre and fireworks. |
| 2003 CLOSURE |
| The monument was again closed to the public in 2003 as it was judged to be in need of major repair - as a consequence primarily of water ingress over recent years. The Friends Group was formed and the Heritage Lottery Restoration programme was put in place to return the monument to its original splendour. |
|
The
monument is a Grade 2 * listed building. |
