A CALL has been made for an everlasting memorial in Coventry city centre to Queen Elizabeth II.
Coun Jim O’Boyle spoke during a special meeting of Coventry City Council on Tuesday, during which councillors and Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen were able to pay tribute to The Queen.
The monarch visited the city many times in her 70-year reign, including when she laid the foundation stone in what is now the Upper Precinct in May 1948.
Coun O’Boyle said: “Her first visit is commemorated by the stone monument on the Elizabeth pillar in Broadgate, and of course, she visited many times as Queen, including when she returned to the Upper Precinct in June 1970.
“She had a great relationship with Coventry, so what better tribute to her years of service and her connection to our city than a statue in the Precinct, close to where she first visited?
“Having a lasting tribute to celebrate her life and her impact feels very fitting to me and I hope this idea reflects the feelings of the city, the country and the world.
“I hope it’s something we can come together to deliver.”
Discussions have already taken place with a partner in Coventry who has pledged some financial support to the idea.
Council leader Coun George Duggins said he liked the idea of a statue, but felt it should be a ‘One Coventry approach’, not just led by the council but by other organisations as well.
Coun Duggins added the Queen had ‘touched the lives’ of the Coventry people.
Coun Gary Ridley, leader of the Coventry Conservatives added: “Words are inadequate to describe the life of a true great.
“She embodied everything great about this country, dedication, courage and of course marmalade sandwiches.”
Other tributes included Coun Mal Mutton, who said last year’s image of the Queen sitting alone at her husband Prince Philip’s funeral stuck with her as reflecting the ‘dignity strength and courage of our late monarch’.
Coun Abdul Jobbar said The Queen made the world ‘a better place’ and kept the United Kingdom together.
He described the Queen as ‘the greatest ever monarch’ and thanked her for her ‘extraordinary dedication and service.’
Coun Antony Tucker said a part of people’s lives had gone following the Queen’s passing, but added that ‘in death as in life, she has bought us together’.
