Shortlisted Proposal for Emily Williamson Statue

Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury, Manchester

I was absolutely delighted to be shortlisted. The four shortlisted bronze maquettes were unveiled in July to coincide with the centenary of The Plumage Act. They were exhibited around the UK before the winning sculpture was chosen in November 2021. Congratulations to Eve Shepherd whose proposal was selected and will be installed in Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury, Manchester in April 2023.

The figure of Emily Williamson (EW), née Bateson, stands next to a young girl, representing Professor Melissa Bateson (MB), Emily’s great great niece, as a child. The child holds a starling in her hands which is just taking flight. Starlings have declined in the UK by 66% since the 1970s, with a decline of 41% in Greater Manchester during the last two decades. MB is a Professor of Ethology/animal behaviour, and a starling specialist.

I want to celebrate EW’s achievement in founding the RSPB in 1889 (with Etta Lemon and Eliza Phillips), and draw attention to the work MB’s family has done in the field of science through the generations. MB’s father Patrick Bateson was a biologist, a Professor at Cambridge University.

I also want to celebrate what the RSPB is doing today by creating a piece of work that engages visitors of all ages, which children in particular can enjoy and learn from. The future of the natural world, conservation and the RSPB will become our children’s responsibility.

I feel passionately about the natural world, the need to learn about it and save it for future generations. I also feel a commitment to EW and have a great interest in the work she and her fellow campaigners did to achieve so much. It is a story people should know.