Last Friday (March 21) I published a post here about the City Council’s decision to issue an enforcement notice telling the owners of Charter House to remove the controversial statue of Prince Philip known as ‘the Don’.
I thought people would want to know that the statue, generally considered to be rather ugly, and installed on Hills Road without planning permission, was going.
It turns out people did want to know- several million of them, by my reckoning.
After Gemma Gardner picked up the story for the Cambridge Independent, quoting me from my blog it went up on their website, with a link, and my husband noticed that it had made the main section of the Guardian.
I then received calls and messages from the BBC’s culture reporter Noor Nanji. Even though I was in the City Council Planning Committee I headed over to the site during our lunch break and recorded an interview which was then broadcast on the Six O’Clock news on BBC One and on Radio Four.
After planning I had a look online, to find that this small story about an unwanted statue had spread around the world. There were dozens of reports, in the New York Times, ITV, Time magazine, even GB News (!), and they all quoted me. Many linked to this blog, which has seen more traffic in the last day than it had all year.
I’ve had relatives in Switzerland, old teachers from Hong Kong, and friends from around the world tell me they’ve spotted me.
And there’s been a lot on social media – perhaps my favourite was Ruth Dyermond who saw the story and said “One of the amazing things about the Prince Philip statue story is the discovery the Cambridge council has standards for public art. This will be a surprise to everyone who lives here“.
We do, Ruth, and we try to enforce them. I’m an architect and the state of public spaces really matters to me and to the council. In fact, we’re currently working on getting rid of some other unwanted pieces of art – keep an eye out for action.
(of course not everyone is happy.. it’s nice to be officially labelled a ‘woke leftie’ by the Daily Mail).
Coverage so far
- Noor’s Tweet
- BBC
‘Eyesore’ Prince Philip statue in Cambridge must go, says council - The Guardian
Cambridge council orders removal of ‘poorest quality’ statue of Prince Philip - The Telegraph
‘Worst-ever’ Prince Philip statue must be torn down, orders council - The Independent
Prince Philip statue branded ‘worst artwork ever seen’ to be torn down by Cambridge Council - The New York Post
Controversial Prince Philip statue that looks nothing like late royal to be removed in Cambridge - Sky News
Prince Philip ‘The Don’ statue to be removed for second time after being branded as ‘worst artwork ever seen’ - ITV News
Controversial ‘poorest quality’ Prince Philip statue must be torn down, Cambridge council orders - ART News
‘Poorest Quality’ Statue of Prince Philip Ordered to be Removed by Cambridge Council - Time Magazine
Why a U.K. Council Has Ordered the Removal of a Famous Prince Philip Statue - The New York Times
It’s a Statue of Prince Philip. Really. But Now It Has to Go - Evening Standard
Prince Philip statue to be removed after Cambridge council brands it ‘poorest quality work’ - Metro
Prince Philip statue that looks nothing like him and cost £150,000 will be torn down - Manchester Evening News
‘Harmful’ Prince Philip sculpture blasted as ‘poorest ever’ ordered to be removed - The Times
‘Worst artwork ever seen’: Prince Philip statue to be removed - Cambridge News
Controversial Cambridge sculpture to be removed due to ‘harmful’ impact on area - GB News
Embarrassed council to remove statue of Prince Philip described as ‘possibly the poorest quality work’ ever submitted - The Mirror
Council orders controversial £150k Prince Philip statue be torn down after row - The Sun
PHIL’ GETS CHOP Loathed 13ft statue of ‘Prince Philip’ disowned by its artist and branded ‘poorest quality work’ must be pulled down - LBC
‘Worst piece of artwork ever:’ Hated 13ft statue of Prince Philip to be torn down
And on Reddit..