Battle's 1066 statue to feature in international calendar

Battle features in the 2018 Roundabouts of the World calendar. SUS-170626-135827001

Battle's new war memorial statue is to feature in two new calendars celebrating unique roundabouts of the world.

Guy Portelli’s sculpture, depicting an opening scene from the Battle of Hastings, was unveiled on the roundabout at the top of the High Street in November last year.

Now the statue is set to gain international attention after the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society (UKRAS) decided that the roundabout should feature in not one but two of its prestigious publications – The Best of British Roundabouts calendar and Roundabouts of the World.

Kevin Beresford, the president of UKRAS, said the Battle roundabout was put to the board, who passed it for the British calendar.

Sculptor Guy Portelli with the statue. Picture by Justin Lycett

He said: “They loved it and we decided there and then.”

He added: “We are really pleased with it.

“The whole thing looks great, the way it depicts two people in mortal combat.

“We found it a very dynamic work of art.”

In fact the board were so impressed, they also decided Battle was worthy of a place in its international calendar, which sells as far as New Zealand, Australia, the US and Canada.

The statue, dubbed ‘a monument for the people’ was paid for using generous donations from the public.