Bettison’s Folly bought for £1 heads for September opening in Hornsea
hornsea’s Bettison’s Folly is due for a revamp before it opens free to visitors in September as part of Heritage Open Days across East Yorkshire. The historic tower sits on a housing development off Willows Drive and is usually closed, so the opening will give local visitors rare access to the landmark.
Dave Foster, the co-owner, bought the tower from the previous owner around ten years ago. He and Mick Bateman said the property cost around £1,500 including legal fees, after Bateman offered Foster 50p to become co-owner.
Willows Drive tower
The Victorian tower was built by William Bettison in 1844. Bettison was a wealthy newspaper owner and brewer in Hull, and the 55-foot structure is about 10 or 11 feet wide. On a good day, it reportedly gives a view about 20 miles out to sea.
The tower also carries signs of its long use. During the Second World War, it served as a lookout post and siren, and this year’s maintenance work is planned for the crumbling windows and the winch-operated flagpole that runs through the centre of the tower.
Hornsea support
The flagpole is believed to be the only one of its type in a folly in the country, and the project has had backing from Hornsea Lions, Men in Sheds, Hornsea Fire Station and the Hornsea Civic Society. Foster bought the folly at a Hornsea Civic Society meeting around ten years ago, tying the tower’s latest ownership to the local group that has helped keep interest in it alive.
Bateman said the pair were maintaining it for the town. “We’re both of the same opinion that we’re doing this because we both love Hornsea, and we want to keep it up for Hornsea. Keep it for the town and for the people.”
September opening
The free September opening will be the next chance for the public to go inside the tower, which normally remains shut to visitors. For Hornsea residents, the revamp now points to a short window when a landmark usually seen from outside will be open long enough to enter, look up through the centre, and see how the structure has been kept in use.
