Derelict

I finally visited Racton Monument today, somewhere I first photographed from afar exactly a year ago. I’ve been wanting to get some close up shots of this old folly ever since but have never had the time to do so when the weather has been right. It was sunny this morning with a lovely blue and white sky so I decided it was time I finally made the effort. I parked up at the bottom of the hill and walked up the bridleway to the monument. It’s a pretty sorry sight up close – surrounded by lots of debris from late night parties, blackened patches from fires and the brick and flint walls have been daubed with lots of graffiti. However, it is a magnificent building and it would be wonderful if it could be brought back to life at some point. It would make an excellent subject for one of Channel Four’s ‘Grand Designs’ TV programmes and I understand someone did, unsuccessfully, apply for planning permission to turn it into a home some years ago. It would certainly be a great shame if this imposing building were to crumble into the ground. The structure is still basically sound, although it lacks any floors and the windows have long since gone. I managed to get inside to look up into the central tower but there are no stairs to go up to the higher levels (although some people have evidently got up there somehow to leave their graffiti!). The construction is a mixture of brickwork with napped flint on the outside (a very common finish in this part of Sussex). Perhaps if I win a large sum of money one day I will make it my mission to ensure sure this building is returned to its former glory… now where did I put that lottery ticket?!