Prince Edward and Sophie of Wessex spent
a day in the Royal Forest of Dean, taking time to unveil the newly
restored and cleaned obelisk outside the famous Speech House. The
Pennant sandstone obelisk marks the centre point of the Forest of
Dean.
Photographs of the structure date back to
the late 1800's where originally it was just the large square base.
The new small base and needle were later erected in 1957, to
celebrate the then Viscount Chares Bledisloe's 90th
birthday and his 50-year service as a Verderer.
Today's restoration included a full stone
clean, a newly produced top stone and brass commemorative plaque,
which the Royal couple revealed. Managing director of Forest of Dean
Stone Firm, Nick Horton, was thrilled to meet Price Edward and
present the award-winning quarry and stone works.
