Historian's plea to resurrect 'disappearing' monument (Australia)
A PROMINENT memorial in the heart of Totnes which honours a famous explorer of Australia appears to be disappearing down under itself.
The Wills Memorial near to the Brutus Bridge was set up to honour the ill-fated explorer of Australia John Wills but it is shrinking, according to one historian.
Over the last century the 22ft high granite monument which sits on The Plains has shrunk by around 18 inches.
It also appears to have begun to lean a couple of inches in a westward direction.
Totnes historian James Bellchambers reckons that while the large monument seems to have sunk slightly into the ground under its own weight most of its lost base has disappeared because of a build up of the road and then pavement surfaces that have been added over the years.
Now he would like to see the missing section of the memorial uncovered in time for the giant 2011 celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of the Burke and Wills expedition across Australia in which both men died.
Read entire article at This is South Devon
The Wills Memorial near to the Brutus Bridge was set up to honour the ill-fated explorer of Australia John Wills but it is shrinking, according to one historian.
Over the last century the 22ft high granite monument which sits on The Plains has shrunk by around 18 inches.
It also appears to have begun to lean a couple of inches in a westward direction.
Totnes historian James Bellchambers reckons that while the large monument seems to have sunk slightly into the ground under its own weight most of its lost base has disappeared because of a build up of the road and then pavement surfaces that have been added over the years.
Now he would like to see the missing section of the memorial uncovered in time for the giant 2011 celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of the Burke and Wills expedition across Australia in which both men died.