Ex-PM Stanley Baldwin to be honoured with statue in home town of Bewdley
A statue of former Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin will be unveiled next year, it has been revealed.
The Bewdley Civic Society launched a campaign for the bronze statue to commemorate Mr Baldwin last year.
The society’s fundraising push has topped £100,000 – and chairman Richard Perrin confirmed the statue is due to be unveiled in February.
Mr Baldwin was the society’s founding president in 1944, and noted sculptor Martin Jennings has completed a life-size clay model of him.
Prime Minister Theresa May is a patron of the appeal while The Queen too, had asked to be kept informed of the plans.
The civic society is hoping a VIP will carry out the official unveiling of the statue, while an event next month aims to raise more cash for the statue appeal.
Mr Perrin said: “We’ve now raised more than £100,000 which is enough to pay for the statue itself.
“We’re hoping to unveil the statue in February and get a VIP to open it next year along with three of Stanley Baldwin’s grandchildren.
“It’s very exciting and we’re all very close now to getting it all done.”
A blue plaque marks Mr Baldwin’s place of birth and can be seen easily from the junction of Lax Lane and High Street.
Earlier this year, civic leaders in Bewdley celebrated 150 years since Mr Baldwin’s birth, on August 3, 1867 in Lower Park.
Mr Baldwin was Prime Minister three times in the 1920s and 1930s.
After graduating from Cambridge University, Baldwin joined the family iron-mongering business.
He became Conservative MP for Bewdley in 1908, a seat his father had held.
Following various ministerial appointments, in 1922 he was appointed chancellor of the exchequer.
The following year he became Prime minister when ill health forced Andrew Bonar Law to retire.
He finally retired in May 1937 and was made Earl Baldwin of Bewdley and died in September 1947.
Tickets are still available for the Bewdley Hope & Glory Dinner at the West Midland Safari Park on November 29.
This black tie event will see guests entertained with the voices of local operatic singers Elizabeth McDonald and Alan Fairs, accompanied by the live 20-piece Central England Camerata.
The event has been organised by the Bewdley Civic Society and is raising funds for the statue appeal to mark his 150th Birthday.
Tickets are £65 each or tables of 10 can be booked for £650 including a three-course dinner.
For more details or to book the last remaining tickets, contact Hewett Recruitment: 01562 69090 or email Jo@hewett-recruitment.co.uk. Closing date to book is Monday, November 13.
