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Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council,
Town Hall, Coton Road,
Nuneaton, Warwickshire,
CV11 5AA
Town Hall, Coton Road,
Nuneaton, Warwickshire,
CV11 5AA
Tel: 024 7637 6376
Widespread public support for the replacement of the Buller Memorial
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Council leaders have been delighted by the support and concern shown both locally and nationally since the statue was stolen from Riversley Park on Tuesday. At a meeting last night, the Council’s Cabinet discussed several options to ensure that the people of Nuneaton and Bedworth once again have a focus for their remembrance service.
Councillor Dennis Harvey, Leader of the Council issued the following statement after the meeting:
“I am delighted that the community of Nuneaton and Bedworth have responded to the theft of their ‘old soldier’ war memorial in their usual manner, expressing outrage and asking - ‘how can I help?’
We would very much like to see the war memorial replaced, and hope that the recent articles in the media will make it impossible for the thieves to dispose of it. If however the statue is not returned or recovered by our colleagues in the Police, who are keeping in touch with us on a daily basis, we are considering a number of options.
It is difficult to estimate the costs involved with the replacement of the statue until we gather all the details of the materials used, and the amount of damage done to the granite plinth. The statue was originally purchased through public donations, and cost £160 when it was erected in 1905. Nowadays, of course, the costs would be very much higher.
One option may be to raise the money for a replacement memorial through a public appeal. I have already received offers of help from the local media, which I will be discussing shortly.
We have also received, through the Royal British Legion, what appears to be a very generous offer from a local sculptor (who wishes to remain completely anonymous) who is willing to produce a replica of the Buller Memorial without charge. This offer too, will be discussed with the Royal British Legion early next week.
We will examine all the options open to us, and make a decision as soon as possible to ensure that the memorial is replaced. ”
