Statue of poet sisters to be placed in Colchester
The pair gave us 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'
A statue of two Romantic poets most famous for the nursery rhyme “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” will be built in Colchester High Street.
Commissioned by former Lib Dem MP Sir Bob Russell, the statue of the Taylor sisters has been designed by local sculptor Mandy Pratt and is “dedicated to the children of the world.”
Sir Russell hopes the statute will become a local tourist attraction.
He said:
“This is something which I have been thinking about for several years.
“It’s dedicated to the children of the world and if it does become something with merchandise, as the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen has become, a place for people to visit and buy merchandise, then the intention is that any proceeds would go to the office of the mayor for him to dispense for the benefit of children in Colchester.”
The statue will be 1.8m high and its 2m wide, star-shaped base will have childrens’ hand prints cast onto the side. It will sit outside 32 & 33-34 High Street.
Jane and Anna Taylor lived in Colchester from 1796–1810.
In 1806, Jane Taylor wrote and published a poem called “The Star”, the first verse of which would gain later fame as the lyrics to the nursery rhyme “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.
Mandy Pratt is known for her bronze sculpture of footballer Peter Wright, originally unveiled on Layer Road, the location of Colchester United’s old ground, but later moved to Colchester Community Stadium. Wright was voted the club’s player of the century by fans in 2000.
Labour Cllr Dave Harris said the new statue was “a wonderful idea.”
“You’d be hard pressed to find anybody here voting against it.”
Conservative Cllr Robert Davidson had initial concerns over the size of the statue’s base, but was convinced it’s new placement would not impede pedestrians.
Colchester Borough Council’s Planning Committee unanimously approved the application.