Sleeping Roman soldier statue approved for park

Work is under way to install a statue of a sleeping Roman soldier after the design was approved by councillors.

Artist Louis Smith said the public should be able to see the 13ft-long (4m) Sleeping Legionary, in Fairlands Valley Park in Stevenage, from early August.

Some residents had criticised the proposal as being a waste of money, but Stevenage borough councillors approved the plan at a meeting on Thursday.

Smith admitted that while the town had never been home to a Roman settlement, six burial sites had been found there.

Workers stumbled across a hoard of ancient Roman coins at Chells Manor in 1986.

Many were minted in Rome itself but also in France, Turkey and other parts of the Roman Empire.

The council said the Roman statue was one of four sculptures it had commissioned.

The budget for each piece of artwork was £40,000, funded through the previous government's town fund, which was aimed at levelling up parts of the country.

Representations from five households were sent to the council regarding the statue.

They raised concerns including that it was a waste of public money, it might be vandalised and that the town did not have strong Roman connections.

But Tom Plater, the Labour cabinet member for resources at the council, pointed out the money was from a "ring-fenced fund that was not really used that much".

"What we have got here is a real conversation of bread and roses," said Plater.

"As a council we deliver 120 services to residents but I think it is really important to have a cultural offering as well."

Smith said with his latest work he tried to create something that "was quite beautiful, quite romantic and respectful".

He explained the Roman sculpture would be made from a type of sustainable concrete that was designed to last for a "very, very long time".

The finish would "emulate historic Roman finds, such as broken clay pots".

Smith's previous work has included making mechanised puppets for the National Theatre. He has also worked as a fabricator for events and TV programmes.

Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.