Iron Ring put on ice – sculpture plans ‘paused’ by government
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, Ken Skates, has announced that plans for an ‘Iron Ring’ sculpture at Flint Castle have been put on hold.
It was announced today that he would “pause and review the plans for the sculpture”.
Ken Skates said: “We have listened and recognise the strength of feeling around the proposed art installation at Flint Castle.
“Working closely with local partners we will continue to work on proposals for developments at Flint, including reviewing new visitors facilities.”
Almost 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for the sculpture to be scrapped.
The planned sculpture, which would have cost almost £400,000, was strongly criticised by campaigners who felt that it was a monument to Edward I’s ‘iron ring’ of castles.
Writing for Nation.Cymru, the petition’s creator, Izzy Evans, said: “Can you imagine any other nation celebrating its own conquest? Its own government glorying in its subjugation?”
Four Plaid Cymru MPs – Liz Saville Roberts, of Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Ben Lake, Ceredigion, Hywel Williams, Arfon and Jonathan Edwards, Carmarthen East and Dinefwr – had asked for the proposal to be abolished.
Cadw had originally defended the sculpture, arguing that “art divides opinions, encourages debate and can be interpreted in many ways and that combining history, art and place can often lead to powerful emotions and passions”.
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CADW is just the pits
Classic example of an organisation run by colonialists.
Helo i dont know if you are aware but Botanical garden Wales has had a multi million£ grant to recreate a regency landscape as well as creating lakes. There will be much focus on the east India company in this phase as thats what made the family rich – plundering the little fuzzy wyzzies. Interesting how our “historical heritage” focus on anglo centric elements- another example is the Bosworth day event in August in Carmarthen- apparently on show will be the Black Book of said town, what that has to do with the upstart psycho Tudors i dont know! iConflating… Read more »
We have to remember that there are those in the imperial government who are desperate to keep alive a sense of ‘Britishness’ and they are well aided by all organisations in Wales, as they are run by people who have a colonialist outlook, and so will do their utmost to peddle the official historical interpretations. The English establishment is so terrified that the UK will split apart, (almost a foregone conclusion if Brexit happens) that it’s trying it’s utmost to hold it all together, using whatever means it can. I know large swathes of Wales voted for self-annihilation, and that… Read more »
The sculpture had nothing to do in promoting Wales as a nation, it had everything in promoting Wales as a conquered nation.
Time to ask serious questions now about the competence and willingness/leanings of those in the positions that make these sorts of decisions – Ken Skates et.al.. Our museums, Narional Library, Celtic Studies departments are all under threat and the credibility of our politicians that are making key decisions may perhaps now come under more scrutiny, while historic bodies like CADW have been briefly exposed for what they are. Hopefully the attention can be kept on this area for a little while yet. We don’t want more ring of Iron fiascos – although it wouldn’t surprise me if that one comes… Read more »
Anyone got a link for the petition?
We do not want to be reminded of being bullied.
The whole thing raises questions of Cadw. Their statement of the 24th seemed to suggest they would rather it proceed, come what may.
Do not believe for one second this has really been put on ice. They are scheming behind the scenes as only the British and their Llackies know how. If anything the pressure must intensify to the end.
As for CADW be like many of us do not support them, if you have membership consider returning it and of course you could always picket your local monument!
We have to be the change ourselves to see it in our country!
This isnt CADW’s fault. Self flagelation is the reason it was set up, and hard to see how it could be any different. Historically, from the Tudors onwards, increasing sections of our country have strongly believed that England’s history and England’s identity is our own. The vast majority of our country now accepts that as common sense fact. Therefore, a body designed to conserve our history, has to preserve that way of thinking, that identity. Because it is our history. The real source of this grand scale self harm of a “work of art” is the Labour in Wales party.… Read more »
In the greater scheme of things possibly not 100%. However, their statement following this insult was again insulting!
My email to CADW yesterday. ********************************************************************** Dear Sir/Madam, Hopefully, bearing in mind the torrent of criticism that this incredibly stupid idea has generated, you will follow up on this part of your 24th of July statement shown below and scrap the Iron Ring idea completely. ‘We will continue to listen to a range of views on this important project as it evolves, and ensure that decisions over issues such as the words inscribed on the sculpture reflect local opinions and the complex and often difficult history of Wales’. And, while you’re about it give the contract to a Welsh person… Read more »
Might be a good idea for Scotland to erect a monument at Berwick to celebrate Edward I’s massacre of the town’s population to encourage the garrison to surrender. Maybe a tasteful fountain of blood & infants screaming in stereo would be nice!
Greetings from Alba.
What happened to the great Owain Glyndwr, or Llywelyn the Great Welsh spirit, Wales would be a great little independent country, pity there’s little appetite for it, for now anyway.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_Welsh_Heroes
What I don’t understand is how unionists can fail to see how damaging this attitude is. 2014 was the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, and a major weekend festival was planned with reenactments, entertainment and educational events. A Scottish (Scottish!) MP stood up in Westminster and decried it as “celebrating the murder of thousands of Englishmen”, which is a strange way of talking about repulsing a hostile invading army. Stirling Council then applied for British Armed Forces Day, and when they were granted it, they declared that Stirling’s infrastructure was insufficient for both events and slashed the visitor… Read more »
Perhaps nearby Caergwrle Castle 1283, needs a little practical love instead of €500,000 on scrap – commemorating the dismantling of Brymbo and Shotton steelworks.
The Iron Ring is unfortunately part of our Welsh Heritage. Like it or not. Don’t forget that if it wasn’t for these superb castles,Owain Glyn Dwr could never have completed his reign -albeit it brief- of Wales. Treat them as structures and empty shells with some architectural interest: nothing more.
You’re all too touchy I’m afraid and should realise that every nation has its history. Have we smashed up all the Roman ruins and forts that pre-date Edward’s conquest? No. We preserve them as history is just that.
Art – architectural or not – is meant to be a shimmering, ambivalent creation, implying and suggesting, not declaring and preaching. Not insensitive and crass. If the project does go ahead, then how much more appropriate would be a reading of the work that implies that war is futile, military means ultimately fail, and that Edwards’ ‘ring of steel’ is rusted, broken and forgotten, overrun by those who it was meant to subjugate – because we are still here, are we not? As lively and creative as ever, and looking forward to bigger and better things, like a peaceful and… Read more »
Pretty it up and wax lyrical as much as you like it is an insult to my nation, people and our ancestors. We owe it to history to tell the truth as it really was, not as the victor still demands. We not only owe it to our past, but also our present and future to put right the injustices forced upon us by successive invaders eventually under the, supposedly all inclusive, ‘British’ banner. An exclusive English made banner to fool us into feeling as one ‘peaceful and equitable’ nation. I just wonder how difficult this question would be if… Read more »
I’m disgusted to hear this. Welsh Government should not be polluting our ice with iron rings! Who do they think they are?