Monument Struck By Lightning Restored After 50 Years

CHALFONT ST PETER, U.K. - May 30, 2013 - PRLog -- Chalfont St Peters / Buckinghamshire

Gotts Monument in Chalfont St Peter has stood languishing for several decades but has now under the instruction of Buckinghamshire County Council been restored by local conservation contractor Inspire Conservation ltd ( http://www.stoneconservation.net/ ).

Gotts monument is a flint needle which was struck by lightning in the 1960’s and was reduced in height by ⅔’s to the current height.  The monument stands at the front entrance to the National Society for Epilepsy.  A local landmark now restored to its former glory by stone conservation company directed by ICON accredited Michael Sheppard.   The monument was erected in 1785 by Sir H T Gott. Local tradition suggests that the monument either commemorates a hunt attended by George III, or an incident in which the king got lost in the forest surrounding the monument.

Michael comments “the monument was in a poor structural condition when we started working on it and it was of utmost importance that it was consolidated to save it from an inevitable collapse.  We cleaned it and used local materials and high quality French lime mortars to consolidate it and ensure its stability.  The monument is now fully restored and it almost shining as it once would have been, visible to all that pass it in the town.”

Matthew Hayward MRICS, Corporate Property Building Surveyor gave this feedback on the project “On behalf of the County Council and our client I can confirm that we have been very happy with the works carried out at Gotts Monument and would have no hesitation in recommending Inspire Conservation for future projects.
We have been happy with the approach and guidance provided by Inspire Conservation to ensure that the remedial works were carried out sympathetically to the approval of the Conservation Officer, client and within budget. The workmanship, site management and communications has been very good throughout the project.

Once again thank you for the works undertaken and look forward to working with you on future projects.”

Notes to editors:

1.      More photographs available

2.      ICON is the professional body for Conservation and Restoration in the UK for which Michael Sheppard is an accredited member.

3.      Listing details of monument found at http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-44772-gott-s-monument-at-the-national-society-f