Tolkien Tower Facing Ruin
Xoanon @ 11:30 pm EST

City appeal to save crumbling landmark

The future of one of Tolkien's Two Towers, which inspired the famous book, is hanging in the balence.

While thousands of Brummies flock to see Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers at the cinema, conservationists and trustees are battling to save its inspiration - Perrotts Folly.

The tower, based in Waterworks Road, Edgebaston, is in desperate need of repair which, trustees fear, could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. But members of the Perrotts Folly Charitable Trust are hoping that, with the help of the public, the future of the red brick, 18th century landmark can be secured. The tower, which has recently been placed on English Heritage's 'Buildings at Risk' register, is one of a pair, which are thought to be the main inspiration for JRR Tolkien's Two Towers. The second film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy was released in December and it is hoped that it will prompt members of the public to get together and help save the original.

Alderman Dennis Minnis, a trustee of the group, said: "There are cracks in the brick work which do need repairing and currently we are organising a feasibility study which is being funded by Birmingham Conservation Trust.

"This will show how much work needs to be done, how much it will cost and how the building can be used in the future. Although the repairs could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, we are optimistic that with the trustees' enthusiasm and the public's help we can save what is such an important piece of history."

The conservation trust's administrator, Elizabeth Perkins, added: "The results of the feasibility study won't be known for some time but there is no doubt that people feel very strongly about the tower, so I too hope the public will get behind saving it."

If you would like to help you can contact Mr Minnis on +44 121 454 4152.