Writer to be town's first non-royal female statue

A writer and poet who was a trailblazer for lesbian visibility and acceptance is to be honoured with a statue.

Sylvia Townsend Warner lived in Dorset with her partner, poet Valentine Ackland, at a time when same-sex relationships defied societal expectations.

The sculpture, planned for Dorchester's main shopping street, will be the first of a non-royal woman in the county town.

It is the result of a campaign led by charity Visible Women UK, which is calling for more representation of women in public art.

Townsend Warner, who lived from 1893 to 1978, was a prolific writer whose works included Lolly Willowes, The Corner That Held Them and Kingdoms of Elfin.

She was on a shortlist of notable Dorset women drawn up by the charity which was then put to a public vote.

Charity trustee Anya Pearson, whose previous campaign led to a statue of fossil hunter Mary Anning being installed in Lyme Regis, previously said Dorchester's monuments consisted of "six men, one dog, a queen and a horse".

Announcing Townsend Warner as the winner, she said: "Sylvia lived her life as her true self, something many still find impossible due to prejudice and ignorance.

"She is a modern-day role model, allowing young people to see themselves in what she achieved all those years ago."

Preliminary designs by Anning sculptor Denise Dutton show Townsend Warner seated on a bench with one of her cats.

The feline is based on Susie, a popular cat seen in shops in the town centre.

The finished statue will be installed outside Gould's department store.

Author Tracy Chevalier, who is a patron of Visible Women UK, said: "When people think of Dorset writers, they tend to think of men - Thomas Hardy and the poet William Barnes - that’s why I'm so delighted that there is going to be a statue of Townsend Warner, who spent most of her life in Dorset."

You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.