The campaign to save the Cowes Hammerhead Crane has received a welcome boost this week, as English Heritage pledge their support to help save the iconic structure from destruction.
Yesterday, English Heritage published the largest ever research project into the condition of England’s industrial heritage and the 99 year old structure, which stands proudly over the Medina River, was highlighted as a piece of English industrial heritage needing to be saved.
The crane is at risk of decay and in danger of collapsing into the Medina River through years of neglect, but we understand that English Heritage will be providing costs of serving an Urgent Works Notice on the owners.
We went out on boat trip with English Heritage and the Cowes Hammerhead Crane Trust yesterday to view the crane and will be have further insight into the story coming up later today.
Inspiring young people
A campaign to save the crane has been running for a number of years. We understand that the Trust are looking at as many opportunities as they can to save the crane and inspire young people to get involved.
They have applied for grant funding to provide training opportunities for Island youngsters in the tourism and engineering fields.
Jon Fisher, Chair of the Cowes Hammerhead Crane Trust, said, “We want not only to preserve the Hammerhead Crane structure but also to inspire young people to consider careers in heritage-related fields such as craftsmanship, restoration and engineering.
“The Crane is an important landmark which should be used by the whole community: a waterfront attraction of which to be proud. But we need help. The crane requires urgent repairs. The Trust now urges Isle of Wight Council to take all actions within its powers to ensure this iconic Crane is saved and restored.”
More to follow later today.
Image: Simon Haytack under CC BY 2.0
