Pelhams Pillar, follies and folly towers at follytowers.com (original) (raw)
P e l h a m `s P i l l a r
 **In** the north of the county near Caistor we have Pelham\s Pillar. I think this is probably one of the most appealing follies of its type, that being of a straight-forward square tower. With the top having a lovely Italianate look to it, whilst the base instead of being just a structure to support the 128 foot pillar, looks grand in its own right.Cost
The whole affair took nine years to build, being finished in 1849, and set back the family that built it, a little under £2400 UK Pounds, - 100 guineas going to the architect.(Guineas, remember those ? 100 guineas is £105 for those who don`t remember, or any confused overseas visitors)
Roy Schofield supplied the marvelous photograph above. (See link Page)
For a 1194 x 796 size image Click HereThe architect in this case who was paid those 100 guineas, was a Edward James Willson, who also worked on the nearby Hainton Hall in the south of the county.
Peter Fairweather contacted me to tell me that quite a way up on the wall alongside the stairs, there are several bricks with a dog's paw prints on them. Obviously when they were fresh made before drying and firing, a dog had wandered over them, and the builders of the pillar regarded them as a notable feature and built them in for all to see.Lord Yarborough
The pillar commemorates Charles Anderson-Pelham, Lord Yarborough(Footnote) , who was responsible for planting twelve and a half million trees on his Brocklesby estate over a thirty six year period, the present day estate covering twenty eight thousand acres.
Lord Yarborough`s son laid the foundation stone, and the construction was completed by the Lord`s grandson. The pillar is recorded as having attracted a Royal visitor, namely Prince Albert, shortly after its completion. The stone for this structure incidentally, was brought into Grimsby and after being dressed to size, was hauled up to Caistor Top, a distance of well over 10 miles.
Roy Schofield supplied an early postcard (See link Page)
Visiting:-
Sadly the tower is not open to the public.Footnote:-
His Lordship gave his name to a hand of cards dealt in bridge that has no card higher than a nine."A Yarborough". Apparently the odds are 1,827 to 1, and his Lordship offered £1000 to anyone who achieved a "Yarborough" - on condition they paid him £1 each time they did not succeed !Another interest of Lord Yarborough was yachting, as he founded the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Because of this feat, on Culver Down near Bembridge on the eastern coast of the island, is to be found a large obelisk dedicated to his memory.
Co-Ords: 512900 403685 / TA 129036
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