Information for record number MWA19214:
Obelisk in honour of Edward Willes, Jephson Gardens, Leamingon Spa erected 1875

Summary Obelisk in pale grey granite erected in 1875 in recognition of Edward Willes' gift of Newbold Gardens (later renamed Jephson Gardens), Leamington Spa in 1846. Situated north of the Lake.
What Is It?  
Type: Obelisk
Period: Unknown
Where Is It?  
Parish: Leamington Spa
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 31 65
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Level of Protection National - Listed Building (Grade: II)
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Grade II listed. Obelisk. 1875. Grey granite Obelisk on stone base. 3 steps to Neo-Gothic pedestal with pillars to angles with foliate capitals and arched panels carrying shields. Inscribed 'Erected in honour of Edward Willes Esquire of Newbold Comyn to whom Leamington is indebted for the site of these gardens'. Edward Willes gave land for public gardens in 1836 as part of his Newbold Comyn development. They were known as Newbold gardens until 1846 when renamed Jephson gardens.
2 Erected in 1875 and situated north of the Lake. Pale grey granite. Base of "Derbyshire stone" and other stones. Colour photographs on page 39 of 1. the Obelisk and 2. the base with inscriptions (i) original 1875 "Erected in honour of Edward Willes Esquire of Newbold Comyn" and (ii) added in 1879 "To whom Leamington is indebted for the sites of these gardens". Edward Willes gave various plots of land to the town. He placed covenants on his land by the river to preserve its open outlook, including the Newbold gardens, former meadows which had been laid out in simply style around 1832 as walks for subscribers. The Willes family left Leamington in 1827. In 1846 Edward Willes, very ill, agreed to the neglected gardens being acquired by the trustees and remodelled as a testimonial to Dr Jephson. From time to time the Leamington Spa Courier reminded its readers of the lack of any memorial to Mr Willes' gifts. The Trustees of the gardens finally obliged with an Obelisk but refused to agree to any inscription which corrected the impression that had gained currency that the gardens were the gift of Dr Jephson. When the Obelisk was unveiled in 1875, the Courier pointed out that the plaque did not state why the Obelisk had been erected. After Dr Jephson died in 1878 the Trustees offered no opposition to the addition of the second inscription referred to above.
 
Sources
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The Obelisks of Warwickshire
Author/originator: Warwickshire Gardens Trust
Date: 2013
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Statuatory List
Title: National Heritage List for England
Author/originator: Historic England
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
designation Listed Building Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a statutory list. These buildings are protected by planning and conservation acts that ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them.

Depending on how important the buildings are they are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest. Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Those listed as Grade II are those buildings that are regarded of special interest.
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monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument LAKE * A large body of water surrounded by land. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument OBELISK * A tall, tapering pillar with a pyramidal top, generally square on plan. Used in England from the late 16th century as a public, funerary or garden monument. back
monument WALK * A place or path for walking in a park or garden. Use more specific type where possible. back
monument PEDESTAL * A concrete, cylindrical pedestal on which a spigot mortar was mounted. The pedestal is often the only evidence for a Spigot Mortar emplacement to survive. back
monument GARDEN * An enclosed piece of ground devoted to the cultivation of flowers, fruit or vegetables and/or recreational purposes. Use more specific type where known. back
monument MEADOW * A piece of grassland, often near a river, permanently covered with grass which is mown for use as hay. back
monument PLAQUE * An ornamental, commemorative tablet. Use with materials field when indexing. back
monument STEPS * A series of flat-topped structures, usually made of stone or wood, used to facilitate a person's movement from one level to another. back
monument TOWN * An assemblage of public and private buildings, larger than a village and having more complete and independent local government. back
monument SPA * A medicinal or mineral spring often with an associated building. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record