Moseley Statue

In honour of this, a Tolkien Landmark Statue will be built for the centre of Moseley. Here is the history:

History of Tolkien Art in Moseley Village Centre

Background: JRR, spending his childhood in Moseley, puts his inspiration down to some of the amazing places in Moseley such as Moseley Bog, the Dell and Sarehole Mill.

In honour of this, a Tolkien statue is being planned for the centre of Moseley. Here is the history:

1. 1996-7 When the Village Green was going to be finally developed, a major consultation exercise looked to see what people would like. Out of the hundreds of replies, the key theme was the desire to celebrate our Tolkien connections. Minutes read:
“John Williams stated that the community requirement (based on the hundreds of replies) was for a Tolkien-linked scheme.”

2. Initial plans for the Green included a sculpture in the centre but it was dropped from the final plans due to lack of money in early 1998.

3. 1997-99. Two artists do a couple of temporary projects but it all comes to no avail.

4. 2000 – 2004 The ideas for a Tolkien statue were raised at 4 Public meetings and a consultation exercise of 800 people.

5. During this time, Tim Tolkien, a renowned community metal work artist in the Midlands invited to Moseley to discuss the various possibilities because of his family name connections and, more importantly, because of his experience in similar projects such as the Tolkien statue inside the local Pub.

6. Finally, at the Moseley Traders Public Meeting in 2004, people voted for a Tolkien statue. The sub committee created the Moseley Statue Group to take this project on beyond the talking and dreaming. The present project has thus been born out of the aspirations of the MBA, the Forum and various individuals & many past consultations.

7. February 2005, Tim Tolkien invited to present his ideas at the Forum AGM. The public strongly supported the project and Tim Tolkien, also giving some initial financial backing.

8. Easter 2005: the Planning Dept and Conservation people met and agreed in principle with the project. The Tolkien Estate are informed.

9. Tim Tolkien was formally commissioned to do the project with Forum backing.

10. April 23rd: the Conservation and Planning Depts site visit during the Farmers’ Market. They agreed with the central location & height ideas. Designs were displayed: the responses to the suggested ‘Treebeard’ were overwhelming in favour & highly positive.

11. May 9th: consultation with the Moseley Businesses Association committee. All in favour and agreed with proposals wholeheartedly.

12. May 14th/15th: At the Tolkien weekend the designs and model were both shown for the first time. As expected, this also met with exceptional support. ‘WOW being heard the most. Sponsorship ideas were launched, with many asking for the sponsorship details.

13. As a result it was recognised that that the sponsorship through the selling of leaves only worked because of the attractiveness and iconic nature of the statue.

14. May 18th: Consultation with the AGM of the Moseley Society. 75% people in favour.

15. May 28th: a detailed consultation at the Moseley Farmers’ Market, with questionnaire and information to assess the general public’s feelings and ideas.

16. May and June Forum Committee discusses these proposals and invites local artist/trader to present her ideas on public art.

17. June 2005: consultation with the remainder of the Traders.

18. August 2005: Planning application put in. Nothing heard for 4 months.

19. Nov - Dec 2005: Discussion with planners re-proposals and comments.

20. Dec 2005 - Jan 2006: Consultations with Moseley in Bloom discussing the alternative sites and trees.

21. March 2006: Revised planning application put in. Consultations till the end of April. Hopefully a decision by mid May.

22. March 2007: Planning permission given.