Margaret Thatcher statue plans unveiled

Plans to site a bronze statue of the country’s first female Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven LG, in Grantham will be unveiled at a special event at the town’s museum today.

The special event at Grantham Museum this morning came as a planning application for the statue was also submitted to South Kesteven District Council.

A display outlining details of the proposal by Grantham Community Heritage Association (GCHA), which runs the museum, South Kesteven District Council and The Public Memorials Appeal will be on show.

The proposal is for the 10.5ft statue, standing on a 10.5ft plinth, to be erected on the green space on St Peter’s Hill. The planning application will be considered by SKDC’s Development Management Committee.

The organisations say the statue will provide a welcome boost to the town’s economy from visitors on both sides of the debate who come to find out more about her legacy.

The sculptor, Douglas Jennings, who is critically acclaimed for producing bronzes, portraits and sculptures, was present.

The statue has been paid for by The Public Memorials Trust, a charity that aims to commission and erect memorials of historically important people. Money raised by the GCHA Margaret Thatcher Appeal will help deliver the statue. No public funds have been used.

David Burling, GCHA Trustee, said:

The Leader of South Kesteven District Council, Councillor Matthew Lee, said:

The Sculptor, Douglas Jennings, said: