I have a dream of a royal statue

I have a dream that one day in this ancient historic town of Battle there will be a magnificent bronze statue of King Harold II, shield in left hand, sword in right and an arrow in the eye, standing on a plinth which would be suitably engraved with an explanation of how he marched his men from Stamford Bridge to Senlac field to defend England from the Normans.

I have a dream that the people of the UK would all know that 1066, the most famous date in English history, the battle to defend our country actually took place here in Battle and not in some other place.

The location for this statue would be in the Market Square where all visitors to our town would walk past and understand the history of 1066.

It would be something dramatic and be another attraction in the town and probably the most photographed statue in the UK.

I do not believe there is another town in the UK that if it had the history that Battle has, would not have a statue of a King of England that died fighting here in this town defending the country from an invader.

Statues are erected all over the country to some celebrity or other at the drop of a hat.

Come on Battle it is time to do it, to recognise 950 years since the king died.

If Folkestone can do it for the Gurkha’s surely we can do it for our King, let’s not wait until 2066.

L Bennett

Whatlington

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