The Folly Tower

Here where the hill holds heaven in her hands
High above Monmouthshire the grey tower stands
He is weather-worn and scarred and very wise
For rainbows, clouds and stars shine through his eyes.

I went for a long walk this morning in an area where The Folly Tower stands in Pontypool. I needed to brush off the cobwebs, as I am still feeling a bit rough but it is only a cold.

The precise date of The Folly Tower's construction is unknown but it is thought it was built around 1765-1770.  It is in an elevated spot, 1000 ft above sea level and is in a position where there was formerly a Roman watch tower, but was rebuilt as an observatory by John Hanbury a local landowner and ironmaster who owned Pontypool Park.    It fell into disrepair and was renovated in 1831 but demolished in 1940 for safety reasons by the War Office.  It was rebuilt in 1994.  It is accessed via a field which is part of a working farm but is owned by Torfaen CBC.  It is a very well photographed historic building.

When I got back home Emma was there, home safely from her weekend in Benidorm, I'm pleased to say.  It had to be coffee time?