Newark council’s £80,000 sculpture plan branded 'really disappointing'

Renowned Nottinghamshire sculptor Robert Kiddey carved a dozen two-metre-high stones

Plans to put a series of sculptures on display in Newark at a cost of £80,000 have been described as “really disappointing” by a County Councillor. Renowned Nottinghamshire sculptor Robert Kiddey carved 12 two-metre-high stones, which have been under wraps in storage for more than 40 years.

Newark & Sherwood District Council is currently consulting on putting them on display outside its headquarters as the start of a new art trail. However, Councillor Keith Girling (Con), who represents Newark West on Nottinghamshire County Council, said the district authority should spend its money on more pressing issues.

“I represent the largest council estate in Nottinghamshire, with all the challenges of the cost of living crisis,” he said during a county council cabinet meeting on Thursday (September 19).

“It surprised me then when Newark & Sherwood District Council, rather than get more involved with this, are going to spend almost £100,000 moving Kiddey Stones to the front of their council building, which isn’t even a tourist route.

“I’m all for having statues, but there’s a time and a place. We’re in a cost of living crisis – that’s where our focus should be. I hope they rethink what they will do with the stones.”

Council leader Ben Bradley (Con) added: “We all know local government is under huge financial pressure, with more people coming through the door in need of support. It’s important we encourage partners to focus on that, rather than nice shiny things we’d all like to spend money on.”

Councillor Rowan Cozens (Ind), Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and the Arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council, previously argued it was important for the works to go on display. "It would be a travesty for these significant works of art to stay hidden from public view after they had been saved from the demolition of the Wilford Power Station,” she said.

“I strongly believe that it should be possible for residents and visitors to be able to experience works of this quality without having to visit a gallery or sculpture park. These tablets have resonance for our district, reflecting, as they do, the working lives of miners and electric plant operators.

“By displaying works like this, we not only honour our district’s heritage, but looking forward we also hope to inspire future artists to pick up a pencil, brush or chisel to create the great works of the future. I would like to encourage as many residents as possible to share their views on this important public consultation.”

Robert Kiddey, who spent most of his life in Newark, is also behind the iconic figures which stand outside County Hall in West Bridgford. His collection of 12 sandstone sculptures, known as the Kiddey Stones, depict the process of electricity generation and were originally installed at Wilford Power Station.

Since it closed, they have been stored under a tarpaulin in Newark Cemetery for around four decades. The council unveiled plans in May to put them back on public view on concrete plinths with an information board nearby. Public consultation has taken place over the summer, with a final decision expected to be made soon.