Rutland has moved a step closer to making history as the first permanent memorial to Queen Elizabeth II in the country that was commissioned after her death was yesterday cast in a foundry near Melton.
During the process, bronze was heated to over 1100 degrees and once cooled, the head of her late majesty was unveiled. The statue will stand on a plinth in the area the peacock is now in the gardens of Oakham Library. Sculptor Hywel Pratley says it's a privilege to be working on the project, mainly funded by public donations, and there's still a few months of work to do.
"It's an absolute honour. I'm very excited by bronze sculpture being something so lasting, so permanent. It's a real accolade to be asked to do it. I mean, I'm delighted with the position in Oakham Library Gardens. I think that to be surrounded by the greenery there is a beautiful position. Facing Uppingham and sort of hugged by Oakham, I think it's great. I think all towns benefit from figurative sculpture generally. So it's a great moment in Oakham."
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