Chapters
| 1794-1808: Design Inspiration & Construction | 1808-1872: Early uses of the Tower | 1873-1945: Ownership changes & WW2 | 1950-2012: Protests, Puppets, & Café | 2013-Present: Wish Tower Friends Take Over |
Wish Tower Friends
In December 2013, the Wish Tower Friends were granted a two-year lease in order to get the Tower opened to the public once again. In January and February 2014, a total of 18 people came and helped clear out the accumulated bits and pieces. It was immensely hard work but very satisfying as the structure of the building was revealed.
Fortunately, you no longer need a hi-vis and hard hat to go inside!
The Wish Tower Friends have been arranging tours and events ever since. We estimate that over 10,000 people (and counting!) have now been inside the tower and the response we’ve had is overwhelmingly positive.
The Tower is clearly much loved and seen as a huge asset to the town. As well as tours, we’ve held several other events: ghost stories; a band of busking local students; musical comedy for children and theatrical performances. Check them out here. We’re hoping to arrange many more events in the future.
Sadly, it’s very obvious that time has taken its toll on The Tower: the roof leaks very badly and the damp that it lets in is made worse by the use of inappropriate materials in the past. Now that the Friends have completed the first version of the Conservation Plan, we will be working to raise the funds needed to repair and restore The Tower. These repairs have to be planned and carried out very carefully, in line with the requirements of Historic England for Scheduled Monuments.
If you’re interested in helping us, you can do so in many ways – from volunteering to help at tours and events; raising the profile of The Tower for more visitors; or donating funds towards the costs of running tours and events and future repairs.
Peace Garden
The Eastbourne Civilian War Memorial Trust raised funds from the public, and a brass plaque listing bombing victims, mounted on a granite stone, can be found outside.
The garden in The Tower’s moat has also been significantly improved, with vibrant beds full of colourful plants. It has been adopted by Eastbourne Borough Council as a public park, and you can read more about it on the website of the Friends of Meads Parks and Gardens.
Chapters
| 1794-1808: Design Inspiration & Construction | 1808-1872: Early uses of the Tower | 1873-1945: Ownership changes & WW2 | 1950-2012: Protests, Puppets, & Café | 2013-Present: Wish Tower Friends Take Over |