Concerns over “politically-motivated” vandals failed to deter councillors from approving a monument to the first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
The plans for the monument of the Grantham-born Iron Lady, to be situated outside Grantham Museum, were examined by members of South Kesteven Development Management Committee.
A report before the councillors said there were recommendations that Mrs Thatcher’s likeness should be placed on a “sufficiently high plinth” and in easy view, in a bid to avoid it being attacked.
It said there was the possibility any public statue of Mrs Thatcher “would be a likely target for politically motivated vandals.”
Sculptor Douglas Jennings applying the finishing touches.
According to reports before the councillors on Tuesday, the statue, to go on St Peter’s Hill, will be placed on a 3.2 metre high plinth, making it over 6.4 metres tall in total.
During a debate before the committee, councillors, supporters and objectors outlined all the controversies and successes of Thatcher’s career.
Councillor Charmaine Morgan said Thatcher “did little to help her fellow women” adding “she preferred the company of men”.
She queried the position of the statue in the public rather than “in context” in the museum, especially given the security concerns.
“Our police are struggling to manage without the additional burden,” she says.
“I understand Margaret Thatcher’s statue is currently out of sight in a secret location, perhaps it should stay there,” she concludes.
Councillor Ray Wootten called the statue a “lasting tribute to a great woman.”
Dave Burling, museum curator, says they understand the debate, but argue that they have a duty to educate people on Thatcher. “We don’t do this by telling an edited story,” he says.
He said the Margaret Thatcher statue was “not the end, it is only the beginning”.
The hope is the move will bring investment to the town and enable more to be done to attract people to the town.
Councillor Jacky Smith says: “It’s way beyond time that we recognise Mrs Thatcher for her abilities and what she did for this country. She put Grantham on the map fair and square.”
Councillor Ashley Baxter said he would not vote for Thatcher but said he saw no planning reasons to turn the statue down.
“It will have a positive impact and good for Grantham and the economy. It will make people stop and think about Thatcherism, all the things she did and all the problems she caused,” he said.
Margaret Thatcher (nee Roberts) was born and raised in Grantham and attended Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School, before gaining a scholarship to study at Oxford University. Her father Alfred, a grocer, was Mayor from 1945 to 1946. She entered the House of Lords in 1992.
She was Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990.
Plans to build the statue on Parliament Square, in London, were previously rejected by Westminster Council due to the fear of it being targeted by protestors.
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From 4am on Tuesday, December 7, anyone wishing to travel to the UK must show proof of a negative PCR or LFD pre-departure test, taken no earlier than 48 hours before departure. This applies to vaccinated passengers and children aged 12 and above.
Nigeria will slo be added to the travel red list from 4am Monday, December 6, following 21 cases of Omicron reported in England which are linked to travel from this country, with 134 UK cases now reported in total.
New Government analysis indicates the window between infection and infectiousness may be shorter for the Omicron COVID variant, which increases the efficacy of pre-departure testing as it is more likely to identify positive cases before travel.
Airlines will be required to check for pre-departure tests alongside completed Passenger Locator Form, and passengers will not be allowed to board a flight without providing evidence of a negative test result.
Given the reduced incubation period of the Omicron variant, passengers are advised to take the pre-departure test as close as possible to their scheduled departure to the UK and no earlier than 48 hours before travelling.
The Government said these additional measures are vital to delay the import of additional cases and slow the rise in cases within the UK.
All temporary measures will be reviewed after three weeks to ensure that they remain necessary and proportionate, and this will take place on December 20.
Animal Protection Services is offering a reward of up to £1,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of people involved in badger baiting following an incident in Lincolnshire.
A badger was rescued by Lincolnshire Badger Group from a warehouse in Market Rasen, which had suffered injuries that were consistent with badger baiting.
Badger baiting is a form of blood sport that involves a dog being forced to fight with a badger.
Unfortunately, due the serious injuries sustained, the vet was forced to euthanise the badger.
Jacob Lloyd, a trustee of Animal Protection Services, said: “Badger baiting is a horrific cruel blood sport that affects the welfare of dogs and badgers.
“These wild animals will suffer immensely in the moments’ leading up to their deaths.
“This is a despicable crime that was made illegal in 1835. Despite it being illegal, we are hearing of more badger baiting cases than ever before.”
“We are offering a reward of up to £1,000 for information leading to a conviction of badger baiting.
“All of the information that is provided to us will be treated in the strictest confidence and any source may wish to remain anonymous.”
Anyone with information should call Animal Protection Services on 020 4534 2786 or send information by email to [email protected].
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