[Acrylic-bob]

Following recent criticism of my criticism of this project, I think that at this juncture it might be a good idea for me to clarify my position. I love Accrington and it's people. I grew up here and all my memories are here, in its shabby back to back houses and in its verdant green countryside. Because I love my home town I want the very best for it and I get very angry when I see people who have little or no connection with the town trying to palm us off with second best. Accrington has had to put up with enough of that in the past.

I am not against the idea of public sculpture per-se. Indeed as an Arts graduate I am if anything more pro art than most people. I am, however against this project. It is bad design, poorly thought through, facile and damaging to a well loved landmark. If it were to be sited anywhere else I might eventually swallow my objections and support it. But not on the Coppice. Not under any circumstances and not at any price!