Petition calls for Churchill statue

A STATUE of Winston Churchill at the Elysee Palace in Paris - one of many dotted around Europe

A PETITION calling for a statue of Winston Churchill to take pride of place in Oldham has been launched.

Last week Councillor Howard Sykes appealed for council consideration of a permanent tribute to the wartime Prime Minster, who was Oldham’s MP from 1900-1906.

The response from members of the public was so positive that a petition has been launched online at www.richardmarbrow.org.uk/howard_churchill_statue.

It says: “Given Sir Winston’s historic connection with Oldham we petition Oldham Council to erect a statue in his image. The location of such a statue to be ideally in the new Parliament Square, or on the steps of the restored Oldham Town Hall, or at another prominent location in the town centre.

“This statue should be funded, as many were in the past, by the council soliciting business sponsorships and subscriptions from the general public, rather than just through recourse to public funds.”

When asked about the possibility of a statue, Councillor McMahon said: “We’ll consider it together with the public response to the town-centre regeneration consultation. It’s unlikely a statue could be accommodated in the new public square because plans are now well advanced. But that doesn’t rule out another location