Dear mayor Wootton
We, the undersigned opposition councillors, are writing together to share our thoughts on the proposed re-siting of the statue honouring Bedford’s Italian community.
As a cross-party group, we are united in our view that any decision regarding the statue should reflect the interests of the wider community and be guided by respect for its historical and cultural significance.
You will know the statue, Verso Domani (Towards Tomorrow), was created by Italian sculptor Professor Giuseppe Martignetti and unveiled in Bedford in September 2009 as a gift from the local Italian community.
It was originally placed near the northern end of the Town Bridge to give public visibility to the tribute.
In 2011 the statue was moved to its current location on the Greyfriars roundabout; importantly this move placed it in an area historically connected to where many Italian immigrants first settled in Bedford.
The statue recognises the significant contributions of Italian immigrants, many of whom came to Bedford in the 1950s and 1960s to work in local industries such as the brickworks.
As Bedford develops over the next few years, it is important that we capture and celebrate this spirit of community, contribution, and cultural diversity in our evolving public spaces.
Read: Greyfriars Junction overhaul to create ‘better gateway’ into Bedford town centre
Statue must remain visible
We welcome the redevelopment of Greyfriars in principle and understand that it may require moving the statue again.
At the same time, we believe it is essential that the statue remains in the town centre, visible and accessible to residents and visitors alike, so that its historical and cultural significance is preserved.
In this context, we ask that the council actively explore alternative civic spaces within the town centre which would allow the redevelopment to proceed while keeping the statue accessible, prominent, and connected to the community it celebrates.
We also stress the importance of consulting the Italian community, local residents, and relevant heritage bodies before any final decision is made.
Listening to these voices will help ensure that the statue continues to be a meaningful part of Bedford’s public life, while also demonstrating the council’s commitment to inclusivity and respect for our shared history.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with you and other stakeholders to find a solution that balances the needs of the Greyfriars redevelopment with the cultural and historical significance of the statue.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your response.
Signed:
- Jonathan Abbot (Liberal Democrat)
- Sue Abood (Liberal Democrat)
- Nesreen Akhtar (Labour)
- Colleen Atkins (Labour)
- Fouzia Zamir Atiq (Labour)
- Lucy Bywater (Green)
- Tim Caswell (Liberal Democrat)
- Leigh Coombs (Liberal Democrat)
- Dean Crofts (Liberal Democrat)
- Paul Edmonds (Green)
- Ben Foley (Green)
- Michael Headley (Liberal Democrat)
- Hilde Hendrickx (Liberal Democrat)
- Zara Layne (Labour)
- Christine McHugh (Liberal Democrat)
- Doug McMurdo (Independent)
- Mohammed Masud (Labour)
- Carl Meader (Labour)
- Sue Oliver (Labour)
- Ralley Rahman (Labour)
- Wendy Rider (Liberal Democrat)
- Charles Royden (Liberal Democrat)
- Max Royden (Liberal Democrat)
- David Sawyer (Liberal Democrat)
- Abu Sultan (Labour)
- James Valentine (Labour)
- Henry Vann (Liberal Democrat)
- Caroline White (Green)
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