Hunt for the tales behind our statues and shrines

AS CONTROVERSY rages over statues of imperialist Cecil Rhodes and slave- trader Edward Colston, a nationwide search for less well-known memorials has begun.

From murals and shrines to statues and inscriptions on benches and trees, the hunt for information about local monuments is part of a project called Immortalised, organised by heritage body Historic England.

A survey for the organisation found that 70 per cent of the public believed those honoured by monuments have made a significant contribution to English history, but young people are less likely to think so than the older generation.

It also revealed that four in ten people want a tree planted in their memory, 16 per cent a bench in a special place and 11 per cent a plaque.

A third do not want to be commemorated.

Historic England is asking for photographs and information about lesser-known memorials or those well loved by communities but unknown on a national level. The monuments’ stories and pictures will be included in an exhibition.