Celebrating Democracy - Renewing the inscription on the Parbold Bottle monument

The Parbold Bottle monument was built as the “Reform Pillar” in 1832 by local quarry workers to commemorates the Great Reform Act. This Act is acknowledged as the birth of our modern democracy. The Bottle is unique as probably the only People’s monument in the country marking this key milestone. The monument is one of Lancashire’s historical treasures.
Built at the top of Parbold Hill in 1832, the monument fell into disrepair and in 1958, following a public appeal, it was restored and re-sited in a spectacular setting lower down the hill. The inscription on the monument read ““REFORM ACT 1832 COLUMN RESTORED 1958”. This inscription has weathered over the years and is now barely visible.
Visitors to the Bottle don’t know what the Bottle represents because the inscription has faded so badly. It needs renewing so that visitors understand why it was built in the context of our journey to democracy. Renewing the inscription will also be a mark of respect to the leaders of the public campaign in 1958 to restore the monument .