Launch of Plymouth memorial fund for Michael Foot
A CAMPAIGN to create a memorial for a well-known city politician has been launched.
Michael Foot is set to be remembered in Freedom Fields Park, opposite the house in which he was born nearly a century ago.
Last night the Michael Foot Plymouth Memorial Appeal officially launched with hopes to raise £60,000 solely by public subscription to make the project possible.
Mr Foot's niece, Alison Highet, sits on the Michael Foot Plymouth Memorial Appeal committee.
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She said: "For our family it's marvellous. Michael died two years ago but he will live in our memory forever. This is a great way for us to remember him.
"To us it really is amazing, he would be very honoured to have a memorial."
Chair of the Michael Foot Memorial Appeal, Peter Jones, added: "We have been preparing for this for six months. It is a very exciting time for us and for Plymouth.
"Michael grew up here and loved Plymouth. We need to remember him, his values, and his beliefs, and we think this is the perfect way to do that."
The project began in May 2012 when the city Labour Party included the memorial within its manifesto.
Leader of the council, Councillor Tudor Evans, said: "I was really pleased to include this in our manifesto in May [2012].
"We want to celebrate the contribution Michael made to the city. He loved Plymouth and Plymouth loved him."
Born in Plymouth in 1913, Michael Foot is remembered as a towering figure in British politics.
He was elected as the Member of Parliament for Plymouth Devonport in 1945 and later as the MP for Ebbw Vale in 1960 until 1992.
After a distinguished Parliamentary career, he became Leader of the Labour Party in 1980.
Mr Foot is remembered in Plymouth as a popular MP, a trade unionist and a successful journalist but also as a loyal and high-profile supporter of Plymouth Argyle.
Right up until his death in 2010 Mr Foot remained an ardent supporter of the city of Plymouth, its football team and its people.
In terms of what the memorial will look like, the group's aim is to create a monument which reflects Mr Foot's love of words and for them to be carved, etched or cut out.
Possible materials include Cornish granite, Plymouth limestone and stainless steel.
The group also hopes the memorial will be a place for city residents to dwell and reflect with a view towards The Hoe and Plymouth Sound.
Given sufficient funds, unveiling of the memorial will be on the 100th anniversary of Michael Foot's birth on July 23, 2013.
A website has been launched dedicated to the Michael Foot Memorial Campaign and for more information or to support the appeal visit www.michaelfoot.org.
Comments
by jabbathebutt
Sunday, January 20 2013, 11:40PM
“I suggest if tudor evans and his left wing cronies want a memorial of this guy so much they buy a bust of him and keep it in their own front room. Dont inflict this communist rubbish on the rest of us .
Whats next .... take down the statue of Drake on the Hoe and replace it with one of Bliar ? (spelling intended)
And thats apart from the fact that we are supposed to be cutting back on idiotic spending that should go elswhere for more meaningfull things like looking after our elderly .
Same old labour ... supposed to be looking after the working man while promoting their own cause with the money instead . And "hey look - I dont wear a tie - I am one of you - comrades" .”
by haunt
Sunday, January 20 2013, 7:23PM
“he didn't do anything for Plymouth except leave,which was unlucky for Ebbw Vale, save the money and plant a tree”
by CharlieDodd
Sunday, January 20 2013, 5:08PM
“Hey, a new mosaic of Michael Foot could be commissioned for the wall of the Royal Parade underpass to stand alongside all the other historical figures and scenes lining the walls. And a mosaic of famous WW2 Plymouth codebreaker Alan Turing could also be commissioned!
Oops silly me, I forgot the Labour council bulldozed the underpass and all its mosaics in 2004.
(Google "Plymouth underpass murals" to see a panorama preserved on the net"”
by Oncemore4
Sunday, January 20 2013, 12:42PM
“I wish Tudor would disappear to Ebbw Vale”
by Oncemore4
Sunday, January 20 2013, 12:41PM
“Still the Loonie LEFT then Tudor.”
by BOREDOFPLYM1
Sunday, January 20 2013, 12:49AM
“bloke was a prat he should be an example of what not to celebrate”
by haunt
Saturday, January 19 2013, 11:27PM
“If he'd had his way, there wouldn't be a Naval base let alone a dockyard”
by jabbathebutt
Saturday, January 19 2013, 10:32PM
“Communist left wing marxist claptrap . The trouble we have in this country today are because of people like him ... and they want money for a statue to celebrate it ?”
by nothalf
Saturday, January 19 2013, 10:12AM
“Shouldn't Plymouth celebrate success, not this failed 'leader'”