New statue honouring former Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin unveiled in hometown
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson was joined by scores of people to see a three-time Prime Minister and Bewdley hero honoured with a statue.
Crowds gathered on Load Street to see The Duke of Gloucester, Prince Richard, also unveil a permanent commemoration to the first Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, Stanley Baldwin.
The newly-completed bronze statue looks to honour the work he carried out for the town, including representing Bewdley in the House of Commons for nearly 30 years.
Both Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier and West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson were among those to turn out to witness the three-year project’s culmination.
Former Wyre Forest resident, Tom Watson, said: “I was invited by the local MP Mark Garnier because I am a child of Wyre Forest, and I grew up in Kidderminster, and in my teen years I used to come out partying in Bewdley.
“Secondly, I am here because I hold the culture and heritage brief, which means I am the shadow minister for statues. I am here in a semi-official capacity.
"With Bewdley, with such a rich history, this town is overflowing with history.
"It is the jewel in the crown of Worcestershire, so I did not want to miss the opportunity to see what is a great heritage and civic event for a town that I have got a great affection for. Baldwin is a very interesting character in the history of the nation.
"Three times Prime Minister does deserve their own statue. Even though I would have probably politically disagreed with him on a lot of issues.”
Beatrice Grant, Stanley Baldwin’s great-granddaughter and president of the Bewdley Civic Society, also attended.
