Geoff Williams's anger at

3.00.00pm GMT Tue 19th Jan 2010

Geoff Williams wrote the following letter to the Echo newspaper regarding Conservative-controlled Basildon Council's decision to move "The Woodsman":

Dear Sir

The relocation of Dave Chapple's 'Woodsman' shows a sad misunderstanding of public art by the councillors who decided it no longer had a place in Basildon Town Centre. Public art should be precisely that: accessible by as many members of the public as possible, a reminder of locally grown talent and a welcome element of the town centre's cultural heritage. Regrettably, with scant regard for the Chapple family's wishes and local opinion it will move to Wat Tyler Park. Cllr Horgan claims that this location is 'more appropriate' whilst not explaining why the present location is inappropriate.A few years ago the Conservatives did the same with 'Progression', the piece of modern conceptual art that stood in the town square. That was moved at the whim of the then leader of the council. When politicians try to determine public taste in matters artistic we are entering dangerous waters indeed.

Cllr Geoff Williams