At a Horsham District Council Cabinet meeting on 23 November, councillors agreed to create a formal partnership with the Shelley Memorial Project Community Interest Company in order to enable the creation of a permanent memorial to Horsham’s most famous resident, Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Plans for a permanent, public memorial to Horsham’s Romantic, radical poet have been in place for some time.
Four artists have been shortlisted to create mock ups of their design ideas which will be submitted for public consultation in the coming months. The winning design submission will then be crafted into the final memorial which will then be gifted to Horsham District Council and situated in the centre of Horsham Park near the pond.
Commenting on the formal agreement and partnership Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Green Spaces Cllr Jon Olson said:
As a Council we are excited to formalise this partnership with the Shelley Memorial Project team, helping to facilitate the creation of a permanent memorial and unique tribute to such a significant figure for Horsham.
Speaking with the shortlisted artists recently and visiting the proposed future site in Horsham Park has also added a new air of excitement to the project.
I look forward to viewing their final proposed designs, as well as sharing these proposals with our residents next year, when members of the public can get further involved, cast their votes and share their views on the shortlisted designs.
The Shelley Memorial Project team is keen to hear from those interested in supporting their campaign to raise funds for the memorial. To contact them about supporting the project or for more information please email: shelleymemorialproject@btinternet.com .