Anger at plastic plan for Shrewsbury's Lord Hill statue
Cheaper materials such as granite – or even plastic – should be used for a replica Lord Hill statue, it has been claimed.
Stone mason Peter Hayman suggested a granite statue on the Column in Shrewsbury would cost £150,000 – less than half the projected £350,000 cost of the proposed coade stone model earmarked to replace the crumbling landmark.
Mr Hayman made his suggestion at the first public meeting of the Friends of Lord Hill Column last night. One member of the audience even suggested the new statue could be made out of plastic, which drew the ire of representatives of heritage chiefs.
John Yates, of English Heritage, said coade stone would be the best material for the new statue. Reverend Richard Hayes of St Alkmund's Church in Shrewsbury argued that the statue was a vital piece of history, and should be restored in it's original glory.
Shropshire Council must raise £350, 000 to replace a coade stone replica of the statue, and Rev Hayes encouraged people to make a £5 contribution as part of the campaign. The statue, which dates back to 1816, has been covered in scaffolding to protect it from the elements as parts of it have started to crumble. It is hoped a replica will be in place by mid-2016 to mark the 200th anniversary of the original statue being completed, although Mr Yates was unable to give any firm date for the start of work.
