25/09/2020 - Permalink

Update: Robert Clive Statue in The Square, Shrewsbury

Related topics: Assets and estates / Leisure, culture and heritage / Partner organisations

Steve Charmley, Deputy Leader of Shropshire Council, said:

“The Robert Clive Statue has now been an item at three recent council and committee meetings, the latest being Full Council on Thursday 24 September 2020, which I appreciate must seem a little strange. However, under the council’s constitution, we must consider petitions that reach a minimum number of signatures, as various petitions about the future of the Robert Clive Statue have.

“At Full Council on 16 July 2020 it was agreed that no immediate action would be taken.

“We believe we should not erase controversial history but, rather than celebrate and glorify such people and events, find appropriate ways to mark and learn from them. As such, it was agreed that the council’s museums service would apply for funding to better interpret our colonial past with a view to installing an interpretation panel by the statue.

“Since then, I’m pleased that we have successfully secured more than £7,000 in grant funding from the West Midlands Museum Development Recovery Grants Scheme for this important project. This grant will fund:

  • The production of a short film exploring the current controversy surrounding the statue of Robert Clive located in The Square in Shrewsbury.
  • The replacement and addition of interpretation panels and labelling at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery of collection items relating to Shropshire’s colonial past.
  • The production and installation of an interpretation panel to be situated adjacent the statue of Robert Clive in the town square.
  • To share the process of reinterpreting the colonial aspects of the Shropshire Museums collection with the sector, partner organisations and the wider community via our digital platforms.

“We will begin a consultation with relevant local groups shortly, and aim to complete the project by the end of April 2021.”