Barbara Castle
Commissioned by Blackburn Council
Blackburn’s pioneering MP.
Bronze
The bronze statue, which depicts Barbara in her prime striding purposefully, will be the centrepiece of the new Jubilee Square in the Northgate area of town. The launch event will take place a few days after what would have been Barbara’s 111th birthday.
Location: New Jubilee Square in the Northgate area of Blackburn.
Artist: Sam Holland
Unveiler: Saturday, 9 October 2021
Cost: Funded by Blackburn Council through donations, grants, and fundraising
Features:
Plinth: No Plinth
Purpose: Pioneering woman in politics
Sam said: "The hardest part of the process is getting the pose right. It's all about capturing her energy and determination.
She's being installed directly into the ground. She didn't want to be on a pedestal. She talked to people on the ground, so it was important that she was in amongst the people.
It took a year to model because of Covid. I managed to go into the archives and speak to people who knew her."
Barbara Castle served as Blackburn MP from 1945-1979, an MEP for Greater Manchester from 1979-1989, becoming a lifetime peer in 1990, and remained active in politics until her death in 2002. Instrumental in the Equal Pay Act 1970 and championing women’s rights, she also introduced the Carer’s Allowance, as well as road safety legislation that led to the introduction of seatbelts and breathalyser tests.
Councillor Maureen Bateson, who has been supporting the project throughout, said: “Barbara Castle was a trailblazer for women everywhere. She also represents all that’s best about Blackburn – real grit and determination and succeeding, often against the odds. “The statue will help us honour all that she did and will ensure that her memory lives on, inspiring future generations. We hope it will draw visitors to the town and also address the distinct lack of statues of inspirational women in the county and right across the country, while celebrating the area’s rich heritage. “I’d like to thank everyone that has donated so far to help bring ‘the Baroness’ to Blackburn.”
Her astonishing 56-year-long career was even captured in recent years as part of hit Netflix series ‘The Crown’ and the BBC’s ‘The Trial of Christine Keeler’. She was also a key character in the film Made in Dagenham, which featured Barbara’s campaigning.
The campaign has also been publicly endorsed by actor Maxine Peake – known for her roles in Black Mirror, The Theory of Everything and the BBC classic Dinnerladies – as well as Nigel Cole, director of Made in Dagenham.
