A new bronze sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II, showing Her Majesty walking among the people of Newcastle, is set to join her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria's statue in the town's Queens Gardens, opposite my constituency office.
The statue will be based on photographs taken of Her Majesty when she visited Newcastle as part of the borough’s 800th anniversary celebrations in 1973.
Renowned local artist Andy Edwards has been chosen to commission the piece, following critical acclaim for his previous work. The statue will be funded by the sale of 11 existing maquettes (model sculptures) by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.
This is a befitting tribute to Her Majesty. The Queen gave a lifetime of service to the country and Commonwealth, leading us with distinction for over 70 years and I look forward to the statue's unveiling.