Vote for your favourite statue design to commemorate the Lancaster born founder of the RSPB

The campaign to create a statue of RSPB founder and eco pioneer Emily Williamson is underway with a shortlist of four that will be decided by a public vote.

Emily Williamson is not a household name, still less a famous face – author Tessa Boase who instigated the idea has only been able to unearth one photograph of her, she’s received little recognition and her inspiring legacy has been largely unexplored. But that is about to change. The catalyst for this will be a statue for Emily that will stand in the grounds of the home from where her campaigning began; Didsbury’s Fletcher Moss Park, Manchester.

The four short listed designs

Great British Life: Emily Williamson Statue Campaign unveil the four statues that will be put to the public vote before being erected in Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury Clare Abbatt with her work Emily Williamson Statue Campaign unveil the four statues that will be put to the public vote before being erected in Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury Clare Abbatt with her work (Image: Mark Waugh)

Clare Abbatt looks to the future by placing Emily next to a young girl who represents her great great niece, Professor Melissa Bateson, who now works as a bird scientist. The intention is to engage visitors of all ages in the challenges faced by the natural world.
Clare, who lives in Northamptonshire, says, “I’m committed to the idea of taking something forward; of it being not just a memorial, but a living inspiration. I want to celebrate what the RSPB is doing today by creating a piece of work that engages visitors of all ages, which children in particular can enjoy and learn from.”

Great British Life: Emily Williamson Statue Campaign unveil the four statues that will be put to the public vote before being erected in Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury Billie Bond with her work Emily Williamson Statue Campaign unveil the four statues that will be put to the public vote before being erected in Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury Billie Bond with her work (Image: Mark Waugh)

Billie Bond makes direct reference to ‘murderous millinery’ with a bird hat, turned upsidedown to become a bird bath. Emily is seated quietly and contemplatively on a bench in her garden: the visitor is invited to join her, and reflect on the story.
Billie, who lives in Great Waltham, Essex, says, “To me, the feathers, the hats and the birds were the most important part of the story. The statue needs to shock, to show what was happening. But I wanted the hat to also tell a different story. By turning it upside down, Emily is giving it back to the birds. The little bird perched on the rim is a robin. It’s a symbolic offering: the robin represents rebirth.”

Great British Life: Emily Williamson Statue Campaign unveil the four statues that will be put to the public vote before being erected in Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury Laury Dizengremel with her work Emily Williamson Statue Campaign unveil the four statues that will be put to the public vote before being erected in Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury Laury Dizengremel with her work (Image: Mark Waugh)

The design of international artist Laury Dizengremel is serene and simple: a young Emily looks tenderly and compassionately at a bird held in her hand. Laury’s aim is for people to have an instant connection to the statue.
Laury, who lives in France, says, “I want people to have an emotional response to my sculpture of Emily. I want it to have an emotional impact. I want people to be able to walk up to it, like a person, and say, “Hi there”.

Great British Life: Emily Williamson Statue Campaign unveil the four statues that will be put to the public vote before being erected in Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury Eve Shepherd with her work Emily Williamson Statue Campaign unveil the four statues that will be put to the public vote before being erected in Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury Eve Shepherd with her work (Image: Mark Waugh)

Eve Shepherd has conceived a design that reveals more the closer one gets – with a crinoline dress that is in fact an organic cliff face, a nesting ground home to the birds that Emily campaigned to save. It also reflects a concern for the future, with birds that are vulnerable today incorporated into the design; owl, heron, grebe and kingfisher.

To place your vote, go to emilywilliamsonstatue.com, and to donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/emilywilliamson.

Pick up the September issue of Lancashire Life to read more about the life story of Emily Williamson

Miniature statues of the designs will be on display at Leighton Moss on Wednesday 8th September, visitors will be able to find out more about the project and vote for their favourite.

Great British Life: Oystercatchers, Haematopus ostralegus, group taking flight, Leighton Moss RSPB reserve, Carnforth, Lancashire Oystercatchers, Haematopus ostralegus, group taking flight, Leighton Moss RSPB reserve, Carnforth, Lancashire (Image: Ben Hall (rspb-images.com))