Sutton-in-Ashfield Residents Divided Over Sundial Removal

The removal of a sundial in Sutton-in-Ashfield has led to differing opinions among local residents. This sculpture, originally installed in Portland Square in 1995, was taken down as part of an initiative to revitalize the town centre. According to a council spokesperson, retaining the sundial “would have been very limiting” for the square’s redesign. The spokesperson also noted that the majority of residents who participated in a consultation did not support keeping it. The metal from the artwork will be weighed and sold, with the funds donated to John Eastwood Hospice. Bob Harvey, a 71-year-old resident of Sutton-in-Ashfield, expressed his support for the square’s redevelopment and stated he would not miss the sundial. He commented, “I’m glad it’s removed actually.” Harvey added, “It cost a lot of money, and it didn’t bring any extra visitors into the town – it eventually ended up an eyesore.” He also recalled, “At my age, I can remember when it used to be really attractive on Portland Square, people used to sit and visit, and hopefully it’s going to be turned back to what it used to be.” Conversely, Patricia Slade, 72, from Hilcote, described the sculpture’s removal as “is a terrible shame.” She stated, “Everybody loved it,” and further remarked, “It was like a landmark for the area, it’s very sad.” Eanna Aubery, 35, indicated her preference for the sundial to have been kept. She commented, “I think it’s quite a bit of a pity that they’re not relocating it or using it in the new design,” adding, “We’ve only just moved to the area, but it was something nice.” Corinna Dean, an employee at the nearby Parr Butchers, expressed disapproval of the redevelopment plans and believes the sundial’s absence will be a detriment. She stated, “I think it’s an absolutely shocking waste of money.” Dean questioned, “If they really need to waste money, then why not lower people’s council tax?” concluding, “It doesn’t make sense, there’s no logic to it as far as I’m concerned.” Jean Robinson, 73, of Huthwaite, also advocated for the sundial’s preservation. She remarked, “It was put there for a reason, and if it had been kept up to standard, it could have stayed there.” Robinson further suggested, “If they wanted to make that area there for people to sit and [create] gardens, and goodness knows what, I think they should have had a bigger consultation.” Paul Crawford, the district council’s service manager for investment, explained that the redeveloped square would feature additional trees and new seating arrangements for outdoor businesses. He stated this design “has been designed to make the town centre a more attractive and sociable space for visitors.” Crawford clarified that the sundial could not be relocated “because the fiberglass top would break and we would have to rebuild the sun circle elsewhere,” and that the metal components “is very difficult and not cost-effective to reuse.” He reiterated, “The majority of residents, who took part in the consultation, were in favour of not keeping the sundial in the new Portland Square.” Crawford also added, “Moreover, it would have been very limiting to redesign the square whilst retaining the sundial.”