Colne Park Column 250 metres north of Colne Park (House) (EHER 9369)

A commemorative monument, to Michael Robert Hills, designed by Sir John Soane, erected in 1791. It was set up at Colne Park by Hills' son, Phillip Astle Hills. The monument takes the form of a 23 metre high stone Ionic column surmounted by a bronze urn. It is thought that the urn was repaired between 1986 and 1999. The column is on a plinth which bears the inscription "MICHAELI ROBERTO HILLS ARM PHILLIPUS HILLS OBSERVANTIAE ERGO P MCCLXXXXI". The monument is scheduled and listed.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Monument (NAT). <1> Monument 1791 in Colne Park. Erected 1791 by Mr Hill of Colne Park in remembrance of his father. <2> - <5> Obelisk monument or ionic column topped by a copper urn. Designed by Sir John Soame for Philip Hills (formerly Astle) in memory of Michael Robert Hills and constructed 1781. Standing on a low hill in the former grounds of Colne Park Estate, now belonging to a local farmer, similar to obelisk in Audley End Park. Latin inscription. <6> Monument in Colne Park. Monument. 1791, by Sir John Soane for Philip Astle Hills. Limestone, with copper urn. Square plinth with cruciform spurs, moulded base, Ionic capital, copper urn with pineapple head. Inscription on S side of plinth 'Michaeli Roberto Hills Arm. Philippus Hills Observantiae Ergo P MDCCLXXXI'. Urn missing at time of survey, April 1986, but reported to have been blown down and under repair locally. 'Colne Engaine, The Story of an Essex Parish', 1975, 21, gives an illustration, states that the urn is riddled with bullet-holes, and quotes a contemporary account of its erection. Height 23 metres. <7> Monument in Colne Park. Scheduled No 190. <8> Aerial photograph. <9> Four black and white photos, five colour photos. <10> August 1976. Field visit. The monument was erected in 1791 by Mr Hill of Colne Park, in remembrance of his father. <11> See also: <12> <13>