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Titus the Roman centurion looking for a place in Alcester




SPARE a thought for poor old Titus the centurion – the statue is miles away from Rome and hasn’t got a home to go to in Alcester… just yet.

Titus isn’t the vengeful character as portrayed in Shakespeare’s play, Titus Andronicus, it’s another Titus who – if planning permission is granted – would be a ‘permanent public sculpture in bronze on a concrete footing and plinth, to be located on an open space recreational area’, according to the planning proposal.

Titus is looking for a home in Alcester, but perhaps not on a new housing development.
Titus is looking for a home in Alcester, but perhaps not on a new housing development.

But it could be a case of quo vadis for Titus, whose potential destination was discussed at a recent planning meeting of Alcester Town Council.

The problem appears to be that no one seems to know who Titus is or whether he even came to England or visited Alcester, which has a wealth of Roman history.

The planning application suggests Titus would be best placed in the middle of an Alcester housing estate, but town councillors aren’t in favour of that idea.

Cllr Mark Cargill told the Herald: “We discussed Titus at our planning meeting and raised an objection. This is a 1.77-metre tall statue of a centurion brandishing a stick.

“The proposed site of the statue is an open space at Allimore Lane in Alcester, but it’s an inappropriate location. It would be better in the town centre where we already have Roman artefacts in the museum.”

The proposal has sparked a flurry of comments from residents on social media with a raft of observations and objections, including about its location. There were also concerns it could be vandalised and people questioned who would maintain it.

And, if it is put in Allimore Lane would it lead to loads of cars turning up full of sightseers? Another person asked if it was a statue to the former Premier League footballer, Titus Bramble, who played for Ipswich, Newcastle, Wigan and Sunderland.

According to the planning application at Stratford District Council, the proposal was submitted by Bloor Homes Ltd with a determination date of 10th May.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it doesn’t look like Titus will be anytime soon either.



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