To commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, the Wellington Rotary Club commissioned a Toposcope to be positioned near the Wrekin’s summit. The result was a large steel disc that is positioned onto a stone cairn. Inscribed onto the Toposcope through 360 degrees are 41 locations with their distance from the Wrekin. The original intention was that all of the locations should visible from the Wrekin’s summit. However, this isn’t the case. One of the locations – Mount Snowdon – cannot be seen as the bulk of Cadair Berwyn is in the way.
It also doesn’t explain why the particular 41 locations were chosen, but the reason might be down to the Ordnance Survey and its Trigonometrical Stations. Of the locations, 39 are or were the site of an OS trig station. Only Buildwas (Ironbridge) Power Station and Trench Pool do not fall into this criterion. However, it is easy to argue that both have enough local interest and significance for them to been included on the Toposcope.
By 2005, the original Toposcope had seen better days. It is not only open to the elements but it is also an easy perch for someone looking for a rest after the climb to the summit or to pose for a photograph. The 30 years of battering and buffing had eroded and worn away the inscriptions. Therefore, a replacement Toposcope was made, which now sits on the same cairn as the original.