Bettison's Folly facts for kids
Bettison's Folly is a unique tower located in Hornsea, a town in East Riding of Yorkshire, England. People also call it Bettisons Tower or the Forgotten Folly. A man named William Bettison built it between 1829 and 1853.
Contents
What is Bettison's Folly?
William Bettison was a brewer from Hull. He built this tower in his own garden. In the past, people used sight to communicate over distances. Mr. Bettison's servant would climb the tower when his master was coming home. The servant would see him on Southorpe hill. Then, the servant would quickly go down to make sure dinner was ready for Mr. Bettison.
Why Was It Built?
The main reason for the tower was to help with communication. It was a simple way to know when Mr. Bettison was arriving. This meant dinner could be served right when he walked in. It was a clever way to manage things before phones or radios existed.
A Special Flagpole
The tower has a special flagpole that could be cranked up. This flagpole was first used to send private messages. It was a secret way for Mr. Bettison to share information.
The Folly During Wartime
During the Second World War, Bettison's Folly had an important job. It became a lookout point for air raids. A siren was also placed there. This siren would warn people if enemy planes were coming. The city of Hull, near Hornsea, was bombed very heavily during the war. The siren was still used until the late 1950s. After that, a new siren was put on the new fire station nearby.
The tower is built with special "treacle" bricks. These bricks were made locally and fired at very high temperatures. This made them very strong and long-lasting. Sometimes, these bricks would get a bit misshapen during the firing process.
What is a "Folly"?
A "folly" in architecture is a building that looks like it has a purpose, but it's mostly for decoration. It doesn't usually have a practical use like living in it or storing things. Bettison's Folly was built for communication and as a decorative feature in a garden. It wasn't a house or a fort.
What is It Like Today?
Today, Bettison's Folly is a Grade II listed building. This means it's an important historical building that is protected. It now stands in the middle of a new housing area. This area is just off Newbegin, which is the main street in Hornsea. The tower is not often open for people to visit.
A Recognized Landmark
In 2011, the Huffington Post mentioned Bettison's Folly. They included it in their list of the "Top 10 Pieces of Folly Architecture." This shows that even though it's a small local landmark, it's recognized for its unique design and history.
