Posted by TARS anorak on April 28, 2002 at 21:28:03 from 213.122.17.62:
In Reply to: Re: Summit Register Explained posted by Andy Morley on April 28, 2002 at 20:12:14:
The TARS plaque on the cairn of Coniston Old Man was ‘unveiled’ on 30 May 1994. According to Ship’s Log 1994 –
‘Dick Kelsall gave a lovely speech and unveiled the splendid plaque of Coniston slate which he and his team had manhandled right to the summit in wet and stormy weather some days before . . . . .The tapering plaque is 32” high and its inscription reads ‘This plaque was placed on 30th May 1994 to commemorate the climbing of Kanchenjunga by the Swallows and Amazons on 11 August 1931. And to celebrate the life and work of Arthur Ransome whose books have given pleasure to people throughout the world, whose ideas have influenced their lives.’ Because the plaque was so heavy the RAF were asked if they might give it a lift. They were willing, but felt the MOD might be difficult. In the end . . . seven willing TARS bravely manhandled the plaque to the summit themselves.’
Some time later, it was reported that the plaque had disappeared, but odd fragments of it had been found a short distance from the summit. (This is from memory - I cannot find the publication concerned at the moment.) I heard, unofficially, that the plaque had lasted about three weeks, and most of it was never recovered. There is certainly no trace whatsoever of it now. There is a photo of the plaque, as affixed, on the cover of the 1994 Ship’s Log. From the photo, it looks as if it has been cemented onto the summit cairn – it certainly appears to be resting on a mound of a concrete-looking substance at the base. However, the top of the plaque stands proud of the cairn, with no backing, and is therefore extremely vulnerable. The slate appears to be not more than half an inch thick and possibly less. The cost of the whole exercise was not stated.
It should not be thought that all TARS members were in favour of the ill-fated plaque. Many knew what would inevitably happen. Some were opposed to it, on the principle that the less clutter on the top of a mountain the better, and also on the grounds that the S&A climb was fictional and private, and we should not impose details of it on a public amenity.
I leave you to judge.