Keppel’s Column was reopened to the public on Saturday 10th September and on Sunday 11th September after being closed for more than 50 years.
The event was scaled back due to the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The reopening event included:
- Pre-booked tours of the Column
- Sharing the oral history of the Column
- A land art piece
The event was supported by volunteers and the Keppel and Scholes Heritage Group.
Visitors over the weekend experienced large-scale land art on Keppel’s field. This was created by the urban art team Art of Protest. The 60 square metre artwork creatively brought together stories and memories of the Column over its 250 year history and its connections to the wider Wentworth Woodhouse landscape. The stories and memories were gathered through an oral history project and could be heard over the weekend through headsets borrowed at the site.
The land art provided an opportunity for families and individuals to reflect on what the Column means to them and acts as a community focal point, creating a moment to celebrate the Column’s history whilst bringing the community together.
The land art is temporary and will eventually fade away as the grass grows through, but the stories will be available through an audio post to be installed on the site.
Keppel’s Column will now close for the winter months and will reopen in the spring with new dates for bookable tours. More details of these tours will be shared through this newsletter, the noticeboard on-site and on the Rotherham Council website and Clifton Park Museum Facebook page.
Photo credit: Sam McQueen Photographer.
Keppel's Column Residents Day
Admirals Crest residents were invited to a private tour of Keppel's Column prior to the official opening.
After climbing up the 221 steps they were able to enjoy the breath-taking views across the Rotherham landscape and see iconic buildings such as Wentworth Woodhouse and Hoober Stand.
Working with you to help build communities that we can all take pride in is a priority for the Council.
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