| How would you like to get involved in a debate that has been going on for 158 years? It appears to have gathered more momentum over the last six years. It is to decide what is going to go on top of the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square. A committee has been set up, chaired by Sir John Mortimer, that meets once a month but all that they can come up with are yet more issues to discuss, for instance, what is Trafalgar Square for? Is it a celebration of Empire or a place of protest? Do we want a statue or a 'work of art'? Do we want a hero or a concept? Finally do we want something for our heads or our hearts? Well, excuse me for being a smart arse, but even I know all the answers to that quiz! Along with the Lions there are seven British 'Heroes' in Trafalgar Square. In alphabetical order they are: 1st Earl Beatty Viscount Admiral Cunningham King George IV Major-General Sir Henry Havelock 1st Earl Jellicoe Sir Charles James Napier Viscount Nelson The only 'hero' in this list that I have trouble coming to terms with I'm afraid is (this is my MBE out the window) George IV. He didn't discover anything, fight anyone, in fact as far as I can discover his only claim to fame is bigamy and his wife Caroline of Brunswick had an affair with her Chamberlin called Bergami, well I thought bigamy and Bergami went together, never mind! Enough of the preamble I'll come to the point. 550 people from all over the world have sent in suggestions as to what should top the plinth. The top ten are as follows, last to first: At 10 votes each we have TRIBUTE TO A HORSE (which one, Red Rum?) MAHATMA GANDI (current holder of World record for sitting cross legged) and BRITISH MERCHANT NAVY (gets my vote). 11 votes DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES 12 votes TEMP. ART EXHIBITS (Damen Hirst comes to mind) 13 votes NELSON MANDELA (Most famous prisoner in the world) 15 votes EVACUATION OF CHILDREN (nobody picked mine up) 18 votes each THE QUEEN (bless her) and CAPTAIN JAMES COOK (my 2nd choice) 45 votes WAR ANIMALS ( if we put all the animals up there, why not the Ark?) Come on, there's only one contender. I don't really wish to disparage the other nine but lets please put it in context, on top of that plinth should be a group of statues depicting all disiplines of the Merchant Navy, RNVR etc.. Men and women who died in the 1st and 2nd World Wars. There is no other choice (well I wouldn't mind seeing John Prescott up there keeping it warm until the sculpure is finished for his contributions to the MN) Believe it or not you can have your say. Visit www.overwired.com/4th/future.html . You are asked for your name, e-mail address and comments. These will be passed onto Sr John Mortimer. IMPORTANT: before submitting your comments uncheck the boxes under 'submit' unless you want to add to your junk mail. I've even linked it for you so you don't have to type the address in! I'll test it as soon as I publish this page. It won't take many minutes of your time so give it a go and get the right tribute up there. After you have voted use the 'Back' button to return to this page. |