Peel Monument facts for kids

The Peel Tower, also known as "Holcombe Tower", is a tall monument built to remember Sir Robert Peel. It stands high above the town of Ramsbottom in England. This tower was built around the same time that the nearby town of Bury was setting up a statue for Sir Robert Peel. He was a very important politician, or "statesman," who had recently passed away and was born in Bury.

The tower is a famous landmark. It sits on Harcles Hill, which many people call "Holcombe Hill." This is because it's right next to Holcombe village. The tower is about 1,100 feet (335 meters) above sea level.

Building the Tower

People believe that the tower was designed by a group of people on the memorial committee. One of these people was William Grant, a local businessman who was also very generous. It is said that Grant chose the perfect spot for the tower. This spot was in a straight line from his own house, Nuttall Hall, and St Andrew's Church.

How the Tower Was Paid For

The community helped pay for the tower. People gave money through a "public subscription," which means many people donated small amounts. They raised £1,000, which was a lot of money back then. The stone used to build the tower came from the hillside itself.

Opening Day

The Peel Tower officially opened in September 1852. This was just one day after a statue of Sir Robert Peel was unveiled in Bury. Sir Robert's son, Frederick Peel, was the main guest of honor at the opening. He said the tower was a wonderful way to remember his father. He also mentioned his father's ideas about "free trade," which means allowing goods to be bought and sold without many government rules.

Local speakers like Joshua Knowles and John Robinson Kay also gave speeches. Many people traveled by train from Salford to see the ceremony. Unfortunately, a large number of them arrived too late to watch the event.

Inside the Tower

Inside the entrance of the tower, you can find a quote from a speech Sir Robert Peel gave in 1846. It was later discovered that the tower was planned and built so quickly that they didn't get permission from the landowner, the Duke of Buccleuch. This problem was fixed in 1868. The land was then given to six trustees. They agreed that the land would not be used for arguments or big public meetings.

A Landmark with a View

Even though the Manchester Guardian newspaper once said the tower wasn't "a specimen of architectural beauty," it is still a very noticeable landmark. It also has a viewing platform at the top. From here, you can look out over the beautiful countryside around it.

The original stairs inside the tower became unsafe over time. They were blocked off with bricks. Later, the tower was fixed up, and new stairs were put in. The tower is 128 feet (39 meters) tall.

Easter Tradition

There's a fun local tradition around the tower. On Good Friday, people walk up the hill. Many of them bring hard-boiled eggs and roll them down the steep sides of the hill. Some people say this tradition is where the saying "a rolling stone gathers no moss" comes from.

Tower Renovations

The tower has been repaired and updated many times over the years. It was renovated in 1929 and at other points. The tower closed after the Second World War in 1947. It was reopened and rededicated in November 1985 by a local politician named Alice Maders.

Images for kids

• 

  Peel Monument