Steeplejacks scale landmark to repair Truro's famous explorer
After dramatically collapsing as it neared completion in 1836, the monument has stood the test of time since then, thanks to regular checks and repairs
It can be a lonely existence perched on the top of a 50ft column with no one but seagulls to share the view of the city, but thankfully, Truro's highest and most famous explorer had some welcome company this week. Eagle-eyed passers-by may have noticed not one, but three figures standing on top of the monument on Lemon Street, as steeplejacks carried out checks and repairs on the statue of Richard Lander.
Now almost 190 years old, Lander's Monument was erected in honour of the brothers Richard and John Lander, who together became the first Europeans to navigate the Niger River from source to sea. Following Richard's untimely death during one of his expeditions in 1834, it was decided that a statue of him should take pride of place on top of the monument when it was built.
After dramatically collapsing as it neared completion in 1836, the column was rebuilt and finshed later that year. However, the statue of Richard Lander would not be added until 1852, after the funds were finally raised.
Having stood the test of time since then, Lander's Monument has never threatened to collapse again. But to ensure the landmark will look out over Truro for another 190 years, regular checks and repairs need to be carried out - and such high maintenance calls for someone with a head for heights.
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Established the year after the column of Lander's Monument was erected, Dawson Steeplejacks are a family business with a long history of climbing tall buildings in Cornwall. As well as working at the top of spires on Truro Cathedral, and scaling the walls of St Michael's Mount, they have carried out routine surveys and repairs of Lander's Monument for decades.
And once they have completed their work commissioned by Truro City Council, Ben Dawson will climb the 70ft to the very top of Richard Lander's head, and on the lead lightning protector, etch his name and the date alongside those written in previous years by his father.
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Work on Lander's Monument began on Monday, February 19, with Ben Dawson making the long climb up the ladders to the top of the column.
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The monument is located at the top of Lemon Street, on land donated by Sir Charles Lemon.
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After the statue of Richard Lander was added in 1852, it was recorded that the height from the base to the top of his head was 70ft.
(Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)3 of 21![Pictured is Ben Dawson of Dawson Steeplejacks.]()
Ben Dawson from Dawson Steeplejacks was last up the top of Lander's Monument in 2007.
"Today we are checking all the stonework, the lightning protection and doing repairs just to make sure that it carries on for many more years, and hopefully another generation of Dawsons will carry on and do the same as what I've done today.
"I've just been up to the very top and there's a piece of lead up there. And I can see my dad has put his name and the date '87, when he was up there."
(Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)4 of 21![During the week of February 19, maintenance work is carried out on on the 70ft tall Lander's Monument on Lemon Street in Truro by Dawson Steeplejacks.]()
Along with steeplejack James Preston, Ben was making use of the fairer weather on Monday to secure their ropes and ladders before the winds picked up.
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