First non-royal statue of a woman in Dorchester chosen
Sylvia Townsend Warner will join sculptures of Thomas Hardy and The Queen Mother in the town
Last updated 29th Oct 2024
The first non-royal statue of a woman in Dorchester has been chosen.
20th century poet Sylvia Townsend Warner will be honoured after a vote run by campaign group Visible Women UK.
Her statue will be designed by Denise Dutton, who created a sculpture for fossil collector Mary Anning in Lyme Regis.
She'll join six statues of men, including author Thomas Hardy, as well as a dog and The Queen Mother.
Statue commemorating a "modern-day role model"
Ms Townsend Warner, who lived from 1893-1978, wrote novels including Lolly Willowes and The Corner That Held Them, and poetry collections including The Espalier.
She lived in Frome Vauchurch with partner Valentine Ackland for much of the second half of her life.
Her same-sex relationship, at a time when they were heavily stigmatised, led to Visible Women UK describing the pair as "pioneers for LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance."
Charity trustee Anya Pearson said the poet "lived her life as her true self."
"She is a modern-day role model, allowing young people to see themselves in what she achieved all those years ago.
"I can’t wait to shake things up a little with a beautiful statue dedicated to such a talented and remarkable woman."
A photo call will take place outside Gould's Fashion Department Store, where the statue will be based, on Saturday (2nd November)