Lilleshall Monument's granite tablet gets replaced
It has taken 30 years of hard work – but an inscribed stone on the side one of Shropshire's most recognisable monuments has finally been replaced.
A granite stone with a William Shakespeare quote went missing from the side of the 70ft tall Lilleshall Monument more than 30 years ago.
It was presumed it had been stolen.
But after three decades of work by local councillor Andrew Baker, who was tasked with finding a replacement, a new tablet has now been fitted to the side of the monument.
Councillor Baker had to research the text on the tablet before finding out who owned the monument.
He then had to source granite from India to match another tablet on the north side of the monument.
The tablet
Lilleshall Monument was built in 1833 in honour of George Leveson Gower, the 1st Duke of Sutherland.
It stands at the top of Lilleshall Hill, near Newport.
Councillor Baker said: "It has been a very long process which I started 30 years ago.
First I had to research the inscription. An appeal in the Shropshire Star produced various leads and confirmation was obtained from records circa 1890.
"It is related to the trial of Queen Caroline and is a quotation from Shakespeare.
"The then Chancellor Eldon in his speech to the peers told them "be just and fear not."
"The Duke of Sutherland immediately rose to his feet and declared that extract.
"This was the occasion that caused the inscription being placed on his monument."
Caroline of Brunswick married George IV in 1795 but went on trial for adultery in 1820.
Councillor Baker then successfully campaigned for the monument to be moved from the ownership of the defunct Wellington Rural District Council into the hands of Telford & Wrekin Council in 2006.
He then ordered the £1,000 granite stone, which measures four foot by one foot, from India, and it arrived safely in Lilleshall last week.
The stone has been funded by Shropshire Homes and Telford & Wrekin Council.
"I am delighted that the tablet is now back in place for people to enjoy," said Councillor Baker.
"The monument is part of the history of Lilleshall and its a big part of the village.
"There was a gaping hole in the side and I thought it ought to be sorted.
"It's now as it was originally and a lot of people have already been complimentary about it.
"I've enjoyed looking into the history and researching it."
