£800,000 in pledges will ensure obelisk start
Monday 15th June 2009, 2:29PM BST.
A DRIVE to rebuild the Admiral de Saumarez monument will start when £800,000 has been pledged, if not necessarily received, according to the chairman of the Admiral de Saumarez Trust.
The newly formed body is aiming to raise £800,000, of which half would be used to build the 100ft high, stainless steel-clad obelisk planned for Delancey Park.
Chairman of the trustees, Alex Rodger, said he did not expect to have any difficulty getting the money pledged by businesses and corporations.
‘It is an ambitious target, but we are taking a collective approach,’ said Mr Rodger.
‘We aren’t daunted by the amount and we think it is reasonable. When the monument was first constructed I’m sure money was as difficult back then. Despite the economy, I think we have the opportunity to show Guernsey’s community spirit.’
Mr Rodger said the trust would be organising a series of events that would show businesses what it aimed to do, and encourage them to pledge money for the projects.
He said it would be a good chance for businesses and corporations to get recognition for their community work.
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“a good chance for businesses and corporations to get recognition for their community work” – what utter claptrap! What exactly will this metal monstrosity do for the community apart from teach us how to waste money? £800,000 could do far more good if it was donated to one of the many worthy local charities that actually help people….
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Well said Paul. If people and private businesses want to donate their hard-earned to this phallic folly that’s up to them but someone please assure me that not a penny of public funding is being put into this weird erection.
If the trustees really want to make a difference to the community there are plenty of great opportunities elsewhere to make a real difference. One that springs to mind is the toilet block at the half way, which is within a mile of Delancey.
This building is a disgrace and it’s just crying out to be demolished and replaced with brand new facilities including a cafe/meeting place with modern creche and toilet facilities and those fantastic views across Belle Greve Bay to Herm and Jethou.
I think £800,000 would just about do it!
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I’m more concerned about the fact that its going to be another metal monstrosity than the money, Why on earth can’t we have something long standing and timeless like the one that was there in the first place????? If private donators want to make this happen then so be it, but lets at least make it look respectable, too much of our heritage is getting lost already!!
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Too right sparky, I say whatever happened to good old Guernsey granite? Or have we already used it all up whoring ourselves to the UK stone markets?
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