South Kesteven District Council will give an alternative Margaret Thatcher statue back to the artist who created it, after storing it for a police investigation.
The statue was created by Mark Robla, a 34-year-old sculpture and street artist from Grantham, who said he was “saving the council £400,000” by making it.
Mark’s alternative piece depicts former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher with her head, made of plaster, stuck on a spike made of office chairs, and her iconic handbag at the bottom.
The homemade statue standing on the 10ft plinth designed for the council’s unveiling. | Photo: MarkRobla
In February 2021, he created the 5ft design and stuck it on the 10ft plinth at St. Peter’s Hill in Grantham town centre, designed for the £300,000 bronze statue of the Iron Lady, though his cost just £100 to make.
His statue was only on the plinth a matter of days, however, as the council took down the art installation and kept it in storage while police investigations took place.
Mark’s design is made up completely of office chairs and plaster. | Photo: MarkRobla
These investigations will be over shortly and Mark will soon be given his statue back, according to the council.
A spokesperson for South Kesteven District Council said: “This item has been held in safe storage since the incident to allow completion of both the police and our own investigations into what happened.
“We will shortly be contacting Mr Roberts to arrange for it to be collected.”
It was a long journey for Mark to get his statue back, as he told The Lincolnite that multiple calls and emails were ignored by SKDC.
The statue of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher that will be placed in Grantham, her birth town.
It was one of just many forms of opposition aimed at the proposal for the statue since it was announced in 2019, with over 14,000 people on Facebook also registering interest in an egg-throwing contest at the statue’s unveiling.
The unveiling event of the statue was originally due to cost £100,000, but South Kesteven District Council U-turned and decided to underwrite the event rather than fund it.
Sculptor Douglas Jennings applying the finishing touches to the stature when it was created.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
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