As reported in Belgarum (Chronicle, August 24) I am delighted to report that Winchester City Council has now approved the use of working parties from the charity, The Friends of St Giles Hill Park, to work on improving the fabric of the city’s great open space asset.

At 11am on Wednesday August 23 the council approved working parties operated by the Friends Charity and by lunchtime work had commenced, with one small but symbolic step, that of clearing the monument and orientation plaque at the main viewpoint on St Giles Hill. This was the very hidden monument in the picture provided by Belgarum last week.

Removal of the invasive vegetation reveals the orientation plaque and as it includes a pointer to King Alfred’s statue this suggests a date of post 1901. The inscription reads “St Giles Hill…The Great Fair of St Giles granted to Bishop Wakelyn by William Rufus was held in September for several centuries” and “near this spot Waltheof, the Last Saxon Earl was executed on 31 May 1076 by order of the Conqueror”. (Incidentally, Waltheof is my wife’s 25th great grandfather.)

READ MORE HERE: New charity established to care for city park

I wonder if readers can help as a close inspection shows four metal pins on top of the block. There could be a simple explanation but I wonder if there was a monument on the block sometime before the plaque was placed? Maybe someone has information or photographs.

The Friends of St Giles Hill Park may be contacted on SGHParkFriends@outlook.com. There is more about the charity on our website and if you would like to become a Friend at no charge, then you may sign up on https://www.friendsofstgileshillpark.org/.

The Friends are keen to get working parties back on the Hill but are also keen to have Friends with interests in history, nature, art, photography, fundraising and any manner of related topics that can help develop and improve St Giles Hill over the coming years.

 

Dr Harry Mycock,

Chair, Friends of St Giles Hill Park,

Quarry Road,

Winchester