Fresh bid to revamp historic Sedgley Beacon Tower being drawn up
Campaigners are preparing to submit a fresh bid for more than £1million funding to revamp the historic Sedgley Beacon Tower.
Dudley Council and the Friends of Sedgley Beacon group failed in its attempt to secure funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund last year.
But the campaigners are planning to submit a new bid for funding in the 'near future'.
The cash would be used to revamp the Grade ll-listed building, which is currently fenced off for safety reasons due to its crumbling state.
Sedgley ward councillor Michael Evans said: "We are applying again for a grant to restore the landmark building.
"I think the people of Sedgley feel it is important to restore the tower, there is so much history there."
The tower is located on Beacon Hill - which is the highest point of land between Sedgley and the Ural Mountains in Russia, more than 2,300 miles away.
Local rumours say the Bristol Channel can be seen on a clear day from the top.
The current tower was built in 1846 from Gornal sandstone.
But it is believed a previous tower pre-dated that for hundreds of years - as far back as the 1580s during the era of the invading Spanish Armada.
"It is believed the tower was once used as a watch tower for the Spanish Armada," said councillor Evans.
"Watch towers throughout the country notified each other about the Spanish Armada during that period of time."
He added: "We hope that the tower can light fires once again. We expect to submit a new bid within in the next six months."
Campaigners last year applied for £1.43million funding and councillor Evans said they would be asking for a similar sum again.
To restore the tower, it would need two stages of funding. Its total cost would be £1.7million.
Alongside HLF money, the remaining £200,000 would be sought from match-funding.
