Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, unveiled the new toposcope in Kinver, over the weekend.
The toposcope marks a spot at the southern point of Kinver Edge, where visitors can enjoy spectacular views across Shropshire, Worcestershire and the Black Country.
Gavin unveiled the refurbished local landmark at 12 noon on the 17th May. He and Kinver Rotary Club President Nick Geoghegan also said a few words to mark the occasion.
The blessing of the beacon was performed by the Reverend Martin Soar, Vicar of Enville.
Amongst the attendees was Kinver Rotary Club members and their partners, members of Kinver Parish Council and representatives of The National Trust. These included The National Trust’s local Chairperson, Susan Wright, whose family originally gave Kinver Edge to the organisation.
On the upcoming ceremony, Gavin said: “I was delighted to be able to unveil the refurbished toposcape at Kinver Edge, over the weekend. I would urge everyone who has never been to go to this location and see the absolutely awe inspiring view.
“I would particularly like to thank the members of the Kinver Rotary Club for all the work they put into organising this project and raising the necessary funds to repair this important local landmark. “
Nick Geoghegan added: “The original toposcope was the first major project to be undertaken by the Rotary Club of Kinver after its formation in 1985. Unfortunately, the elements and it position have taken a toll and now, 25 years after it was first unveiled, the Club has again raised the funds to replace the information stone.”
“I would like to particularly thanks everyone who contributed towards the new slab, including The Ken Wrigley Memorial Charity, the Anthony & Gwendolyn Wylde Trust, the Staffordshire County Council Community Fund and the Kinver Country Fayre.”
The Kinver Edge toposcope was first built at the location by the Kinver Rotary Club, in 1990. The four foot plinth was made out of sandstone and topped with two inch thick green Welsh slate, engraved with the direction of numerous sites.
Over the ensuing years, two major cracks developed in the slate and the extreme weather, last winter, caused further severe damage to the aging surface.
Almost 25 years after it was first installed, the Kinver Rotary Club has raised money to have the slate replaced with black granite commissioned from one of the UK’s foremost stonemasons.
The four foot wide, two and a half foot high and three inches deep Indian granite slab is an almost exact replica of the original slate piece.
Aside from the material, the only difference is that the replica lists the donors, who contributed to the new slab, around its edge.
Local charities The Ken Wrigley Memorial Charity and the Anthony and Gwendolyn Wylde Trust, Staffordshire County Councillor Brian Edward’s Community Fund and the Kinver Country Fayre all donated vital funds towards the project.