[Local Landmark] Milner's Tower - Port Erin, Isle of Man

[greg3]

Hi

Here's my entry for the Local Landmarks Architecture Competition - Milner's Tower

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

A bit of history about the real thing.

Situated on Bradda Head, overlooking the seaside town of Port Erin in the Isle of Man, Milner’s Tower dates back to 1871. It was built on behalf of the town’s residents to thank retired businessman William Milner for the kindness and generosity he had shown them.

Milner had grown rich running the family business in Liverpool making locks and safes. Then tragedy struck. Embroiled in a bitter feud with a rival over whose safes were the strongest, Milner set up a series of public tests and demonstrations. During one of these tests, the amount of gunpowder used was miscalculated and the resulting explosion killed a young boy in the crowd. Shortly after this, Milner retired and moved to the Isle of Man, settling in Port Erin.

Perhaps due to the guilt he felt over the accident, he began putting his wealth to use in service of the poor and became well known for his work supporting local charities, especially those supporting the families of local sailors lost at sea. When it was suggested that a viewing tower be built on the nearby headland, the townsfolk decided to dedicate it to William as a gesture of thanks.

The tower was built of local stone and the design was said to represent a key in a lock (don’t see it myself!!). The work was paid for by public subscription (although when Milner found out about it, he made a large contribution himself!) and the tower was finished in 1871.

Since then, it has become a popular and much loved landmark - featuring on local stamps and even on the reverse of the 50p coin!

Visitors and locals alike make the climb up the (very!) narrow spiral staircase in the round tower to reach the view point on top of the main part of the structure. From here, stunning views of the south of the Island can be seen, as well as the Mourne Mountains of Northern Ireland and, if you’re lucky, a passing basking shark (not that I’ve ever seen one!!)

More views

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Ref. Pic (taken from the internet)

13 by g.nat, on Flickr

Finally, thanks for setting up this competition - as I usually work in mini figure scale, I really enjoyed the challenge!!

Good luck to everyone who enters!!

Cheers