AS a March resident, I felt quite ashamed when I read the bizarre fate of our statue. If I were one of those involved at Neale-Wade who helped originally design it or a resident of St Jean De Braye who not only made the statue but went so far as gifting i

AS a March resident, I felt quite ashamed when I read the bizarre fate of our statue.

If I were one of those involved at Neale-Wade who helped originally design it or a resident of St Jean De Braye who not only made the statue but went so far as gifting it to our town I would feel quite insulted by this latest episode in its short history.

To delay displaying the statue until the wonderful improvements were completed at our Town Hall was a sensible and understandable decision. It surprises me, however, that plans to display it were somehow omitted from the detailed plans and it remained in storage when our showcase building, complete with theatre and art gallery, were opened to the public.

The work of art was presumably intended to be displayed indoors and surely a suitable place can be found where it can be seen by the public, both locals and visitors to our town.

If it is never seen it must be considered a huge waste of time and money. Not everyone will like it but that is the way of art. It is a talking point, something to be considered, admired or criticised, but certainly not ignored. We are supposed to be encouraging arts in Fenland and encouraging visitors to our town. Is it not possible this modern link to our twin town is something to be added to the heritage list when advertising to tourists?

So where to put the thing? A few ideas we came up with at home over dinner this evening included a corner inside the beautiful new registrar's office, inside the entrance lobby of the George Campbell leisure centre or on proud display in Neale-Wade School. Any of these sites are visited daily by many people and are already buildings March should be proud of.

Whatever is eventually decided I do hope common sense prevails. Art was never intended to be hidden away and forgotten.

GILL TAIT, March, via e-mail