'No reason' to remove historic statues and street names in Chesterfield amid slavery row

Council leader Tricia Gilby announced the move yesterday amid an international campaign to topple all monuments to slave traders.

However, Liberal Democrat councillor Ed Fordham described the move as ‘a silly token gesture by an out of touch Labour Leader’.

While Chesterfield Civic Society chairman Philip Riden said he could see no reason to remove any of the statues in the town, and was not aware of any links historically between local families and the slave trade.

MORE: These stores at Chesterfield's Vicar Lane Shopping Centre will reopen on Monday

Mr Riden said: “There are only three statues of individuals in the town centre, all of which are privately owned.

“The two on Saltergate commemorate leading figures in the early history of mining trade unionism in Derbyshire and are listed buildings; the third is the modern statue of George Stephenson outside the station. I cannot see why any should be removed.”

He added: “I cannot think of any monuments other than statues in Chesterfield which are likely to cause offence.

“There are numerous buildings in the town on which the Civic Society would like to install plaques but we can only work as fast as funds permit, and with the consent of owners.

“We are as committed as the borough council is to ensuring that our plaques commemorate all aspects of the town's history, including the arrival of newcomers from other parts of the world.”

Coun Fordham, who represents the Brockwell ward, said the authority should be looking to the future and not trying to rewrite the past.

“There are plenty of opportunities to lead from the front but retrospective history of our three statues is silly,” he said.

“This is a time to advocate and support the campaign to celebrate Chesterfield-born Barbara Castle, and to celebrate LGBT pioneer Edward Carpenter who lived locally.”

Coun Gilby said: “Many of us, including myself will not know the history as to why particular commemorations were chosen but it is important that we question the legacies that are being celebrated.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor