Guston Village Reinstates War Memorial Statues

Residents of Guston, a village situated near Dover, have replaced war memorial statues following damage to the original figures. The original silhouette statues, depicting a Tommy and a Woman in War, located on the village green, were vandalized earlier this year when their heads were broken off. Through the collective effort of the local community, the villagers successfully reinstated the statues on the village green, coinciding with the upcoming Remembrance Day commemorations. Mike Tapp, the Labour MP for Dover and Deal and a former veteran, commented: “It’s great to see these important memorial figures back.” He commended the residents of Guston, stating: “Well done to the fantastic community who worked to make this happen.” To deter future acts of vandalism, the newly installed statues are constructed from steel. Janet Baldwin, instrumental in organizing the statues’ return, informed the BBC: “There is no way we couldn’t have them back for this weekend, we just had to.“I didn’t want the people who vandalised them to think they could get away with it,” she added. “I’m proud of the community who got them replaced.” Financial contributions for the replacement statues were also garnered with assistance from the village pub. Dave Hubbard, a chef at the Chance Inn, located directly opposite the statues’ site, remarked: “It’s brilliant to see them back where they belong, I’m chuffed.” He further stated: “It’s overwhelming seeing how the community come together, and well done to the businesses who’ve helped restore them back to their rightful place.” A blessing ceremony for the reinstated statues is anticipated to occur in the upcoming weeks.