A new landmark for Leamington
An artist's impression at the Leamington Society's proposed pillar at the top of the Parade.
FLUSHED with success after their £100,000 project to restore the Linden Arches in the Pump Room Gardens, members of the Leamington Society are now proposing to build a nine metre high column to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee.
Plans have just been submitted to Warwick District Council for a stone column, which would stand in Christchurch Gardens and catch the eye at the top of the Parade.
Archie Pitts, joint vice-chairman of the society, says the Upper Parade lost an important focal point in 1959 when the old Christchurch Chapel was demolished.
The chapel is seen on many early pictures providing a natural focus and end point to the elegant terrace.
Mr Pitts said: “We don’t know how the project would be funded yet but there is no point in us thinking about that until we know whether the column would be approved.”
So far, members of Leamington Town Council have raised no objections.
An artist’s impression of the column has been provided by landscape architect Paul Edwards, who is also a joint vice-chairman of the 300-strong society. He says pillars and similar monuments have been used to mark special occasions since the days of Trajan’s Column in Rome in AD 114.
The ideal height for the structure - which would have a gilded crown at the top - was agreed at just over 9.1 metres - some 30 foot.
Mr Edwards suggests the column should be built in white Portland-coloured Haddonstone and contain solar panels and LED lights which would illuminate the night sky.
A period of consultation will now take place before the proposals go before district councillors for consideration.
The restoration of the eight Linden Arches - which were officially opened by the Duke of Gloucester in the Pump Room Gardens last week - took four years to complete and involved a collaboration between members of the society with Friends of the Pump Room and the district council.
But Mr Pitts said: “If this column is approved we’d like to get on with it.
“We believe the proposal would be in keeping with Royal Leamington Spa and its Regency architectural heritage and provide a fitting replacement for the demolished chapel.”
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Weather for Leamington
Wednesday 19 June 2013
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