…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
A life-size bronze statue of the late Sir David Amess, MP, worth £37,000, is being created as a tribute to him in Southend.
Sir David, a Conservative MP, was stabbed to death in his constituency office in Southend West in October 2021.
Sculptor Andrew Lilley, 69, who admired Sir David, is creating the artwork in his memory.
Andrew, whose artworks decorate lobbies in hotels and residential buildings, is working on the statue and hopes to get public funding.
Honouring a Prominent Figure
Sir David had campaigned for city status for Southend, which was granted just three days after his death.
Andrew believes that the statue, which is “quite far along” in the process, should be placed in a central location in Southend, such as on the famous pier in the Essex town.
Andrew said that the sculpture, so far, is rudimentary and that while he has an initial design, he will improve it as he goes along.
He hopes to unveil the statue this year, which is a year of the city status.
Andrew says that the statue will be very realistic, with every detail of Sir David captured.
He wants to recognise the former MP’s special contribution to Southend becoming a city.
The artwork will depict Sir David holding his papers about the city status and with his characteristic smile.
Before serving as the MP for Southend West, Sir David was the MP for Basildon, also in Essex, for 14 years.
Positive Reactions to the Tribute
John Lamb, West Leigh Tory councillor and a friend of the late Sir David, said that the statue was important because Sir David had represented Southend well.
Lamb said that Sir David was a man of the people who worked for and helped many people, and was one of the greatest supporters of Southend in every way, including in Parliament.
Marc Miller, managing director of Stockvale, which runs Southend’s Adventure Island, expressed his support for the tribute.
He said that the statue would be a reminder to people that they cannot be defeated by demonic fanatics.
A fitting tribute
The statue is an attempt to honour a prominent political figure and a man who dedicated his life to public service.
The sculpture’s realism and attention to detail will make it a fitting tribute to Sir David Amess.
The location of the statue on the pier or other prominent sites would also provide a visible and permanent reminder of Sir David’s service to his community.
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