Lottery bids launched to restore historic Dudley landmarks
Bids for funding which would allow two historic landmarks in the Dudley borough to undergo long-awaited refurbishments are about to be submitted.
Campaigners are desperate to upgrade the famous tower on Sedgley Beacon as well as the building affectionately known as the White House at the Stevens Park in Quarry Bank.
Protectors of the landmarks have long been trying to secure cash to allow them to undergo much-needed improvements.
The Friends of Sedgley Beacon have managed to secure some funding from the Wildlife Trust and are now hoping they will be able to top it off with Heritage Lottery cash.
As well as improvements to the tower itself, which has stood on the Beacon since the mid-19th century, the group is also keen to improve the land around it, which is said to be in a 'run-down' state and had attracted vandalism and antisocial behaviour.
The total cost of the project is believed to be around £150,000.
Meanwhile, the White House is judged to be 'very run-down' and in a 'bad state of repair'.
Plans to refurbish the building, which is at the entrance of Stevens Park, and would also see it become a community centre and cafe, were revealed two years ago and received the backing of the public.
The Wildlife Trust has also agreed to fund the project, along with South Staffs Water, but more cash is needed if the scheme is to be brought to fruition.
Treasurer of Friends of Sedgley Beacon Tony Cowell said the group had been striving to bring about improvements to the tower for more than 15 years.
He said: "It definitely needs a lot of repair work and it would be good to see it done.
"It is important, it has been stood up there for a long time and has got some good history to it as well.
"We have got a little bit of funding but it is going to take quite a lot of money to do the tower and the area around it."
A tower has stood on the Beacon, to the east of Sedgley, since the 17th century.
The present tower, built of Gornal sandstone, was constructed in 1846 and is 50ft high and 7ft in diameter.
Known as The Big Whistle, it is popularly believed to have been built by Staffordshire stargazer Lord Wrottesley.
Campaigners said they were hopeful the landmarks would be considered to be of sufficient historical importance and worthy of devoting funds to.
The organisation has also supported projects at Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge in the past, which is being revamped at the moment.
