Fist peek at King Henry VII statue by sculptor Harriet Addyman at Pembroke Town Hall

A statue of King Henry VII, born in Pembroke Castle in 1457, is long overdue. However, the statue project is now underway and Pembroke Town Council is pleased to announce the unveiling a miniature maquette statue of the Tudor monarch on January 16 at Pembroke Town Hall at 10.30am.

Last October a public consultation was held to launch the campaign for the statue and to give people an opportunity to comment and put forward ideas on how the statue will ultimately appear.

Sculptor Harriet Addyman was commissioned by Pembroke Town Council to produce the maquette and she has taken on board suggestions and comments made at that meeting.

There will be an opportunity to meet her on January 16.

The event will also mark the beginning of a campaign to raise the money for an impressive eight foot high bronze statue of Henry VII on the Mill Bridge. The money raised by the community will be match-funded by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Town Centre Support Programme.

It is expected £20,000 will need to be raised to cover the cost of the full-size statue.

Few towns have the distinction of being the birthplace of a king, let alone the birthplace of a dynasty. The Tudors were one of the most colourful and important royal dynasties to rule this country and this surely must be a cause for civic pride? Last year saw a massive investment on the part of Leicester City Council to honour Richard III who lost the Battle of Bosworth. It is high time Wales did likewise to honour Henry VII, the victor of Bosworth and Pembroke’s most famous son.

It is hoped that as many people as possible will show support and attend the event which will be organised by Pembroke & Monkton Local History Society. The Society is also providing a raffle and a coffee morning which will begin at 10am and will be donating all proceeds to the statue appeal.

Any queries, please contact Town Clerk Suzie Thomas on 01646 683092.

Email: suzie@pembstowncouncil.plus.com