Words by Josh Neicho
A campaign to commemorate King Charles I’s reputed visit to Kingstanding during the English Civil War with a major statue has been drumming up support from candidates at the upcoming Council elections.
Kingstanding local Sean Keatley has launched an online petition to ‘Install a statue of King Charles I on Kingstanding Circle’ through the Change.org website – which at the time of writing has 331 verified signatures.
Legend has it that King Charles I reviewed his troops while standing on a neolithic barrow north of what today is Kingstanding, in the run up to the Battle of Edgehill in October 1642.
Keatley’s petition says the story of the troop review “adds character to our community” and “connects us to our country’s rich historical tapestry”.
The proposed statue at the six-ways roundabout would have educational value and build pride and identity, the petition adds.
Kingstanding current elected official, Councillor Clifton Welch (Local Conservatives) told Kingstanding/Erdington Local he is “absolutely massively in favour of the principle,” of the Charles I statue – or an alternative proposal of a war memorial after surveying local residents.
“Both ideas are excellent, ” adds Cllr Welch. “There’s a lot of pride from residents; they’ve also been strong supporters of the monarchy. Kingstanding was under Labour for decades and taken for granted for a long time.”
Meanwhile, independent candidate in the ward and veteran Birmingham community and race justice activist Bishop Desmond Jaddoo has also given his approval. “They were shocked when I said it, because they just don’t know me,” Jaddoo says. “Just like I pushed for [the] Windrush stuff, I will push for anything.”
Keatley also claims to have support from Reform’s Deputy Leader Richard Tice, who recently visited Kingstanding in support of local candidates Jex Parkin and John Lambert.
Sean Keatley is part of the Raise the Colours group in Kingstanding, who have been responsible for installing unauthorised Union Flags and St George’s Cross flags around Kingstanding Circle and across the B44 postcode – garnering mixed responses from local residents and stakeholders.
Growing up locally, Keatley says he has wondered at the absence of a monument to Charles, given the area’s name. The statue would be a worthy replacement, he adds, for the extensive display of flags which are eventually taken down by council workers and anti-flagging campaigners.
Fellow Raise the Colours member, Chris Davis, says: “Having something a lot more permanent would be a lot more fulfilling.”
Birmingham voters will head to the polling stations on Thursday 7 May to elect local councillors in all the 69 wards throughout the city.
To find out who is standing in the Council elections across the Erdington constituency, click here.
