Plymouth change the colours in June


By Frank Stormont
April 1 2007

As part of the Smeaton 250th anniversary the apprearance of the Plymouth waterfront may change for the better as the tower is repainted in Albion colours.

 

All change for Smeaton's Tower as part of its 250th birthday calibrations!!

One of the proposals of the Smeaton250 committee

After Plymouth Argyle boss, Ian Holloway, suggested that the Smeaton's tower be painted Argyle green and white staff have been working hard behind the scenes to use the landmark to show what Plymouth is really about.

Smeaton's Tower was the third Lighthouse at Eddystone reef and was completed in June 1757, 250 years ago this year. It was eventually moved to its current site in 1882 although the base section built from local Dartmoor granite. The rest of the tower was brought stone by stone by Blackpool beach donkeys, and rebuilt on its current site.

As part of the 250th anniversary celebrations the Smeaton 250 committee have been considering a number of options as to how the memorial, which could be seen on the old penny coin for 70 years, should be celebrated and maintained for the future.

Along with a celebration of transport over the past 250 years which will take place on the Hoe on the weekend of 2/3rd June. The committee are considering allowing sponsorship money to pay for the up keep of the tower and a number of 10 year deals are currently being considered. This will enable the considerable costs of maintenance to be removed from the rate payers of Plymouth and assure the towers presence for years to come.

James E Ster, vice chair of the Smeaton 250 committee said "It is only relatively recently that the tower has been painted with three red bands  as when it was first moved it only had a single red band at the bottom. I think that Smeaton would be happy with you plans to sponsor the maintenance of the tower for future generations to see."

Final decisions are expected to be made over the next week. The various options being considered can be seen in full at the Smeaton 250 website. www.smeaton250.co.uk You can also make your feelings known on the site.