This isn't the first time Darwen Tower has lost its crowning dome. The original blew off in 1947 and the monument was hatless until it was replaced in 1971. Looking (see below) at how it was attached and considering the strength of wind felt up on the moors, it is surprising it has lasted this long.
From a brief survey of walkers around the tower, it seems people prefer it without the dome. Opinions have changed since the 70s and now it seems the public prefer old buildings to look old, unencumbered with anachronisms like the structure that was towed away on the back of a tractor this morning. Hopefully, it'll end up on show somewhere in the town; it seems unlikely to be replaced in the Current Economic Climate.Darwen Tower (as it is known) has been a symbol of the town since its construction in 1898; until recently railings in the town were adorned with some nice models of the tower. While cycling around the town today I didn't notice many pictures of the tower apart from the icon on the standard brown tourism sign, which now resembles the tower more closely:
