Much ado about accepting China’s gift of a pavilion in Shakespeare’s Stratford
A TRANQUIL garden in William Shakespeare’s birthplace is the scene of a bitter battle over a gift from its Chinese twin town.
People are angry at plans for a 22ft Peony Pavilion in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire.
The pavilion was offered as a sign of friendship by the city of Fuzhou in south-east China, which has been allowed to build replicas of the Bard’s birthplace abroad.
The wooden structure could be erected in time for the Shakespeare birthday celebrations in April.
But some object to its location in Firs Garden, a conservation area, and claim Stratford District Council is frightened to refuse the gift in case it offends Beijing.
Known for its Tudor houses, theatre and the river Avon, Stratford is also one of the most popular UK spots for Chinese tourists.
Resident Lisa Northcastle, 36, said: “I think the pavilion has been shoved in a place where tourists don’t normally visit. I can only think the council are so keen to get this sorted because they fear the consequences if they don’t.”
Council leader Tony Jefferson said the gift was a “tangible symbol of the international status of Stratford-upon-Avon”.