Monument to Thomas Fowell Buxton on Bincleaves Green in Weymouth – Dorset Echo

CAMPAIGNERS are delighted with their tribute to a social crusader.

The Thomas Fowell Buxton monument can now be seen on Bincleaves Green at the end of Bincleaves Road in Weymouth.

It follows seven years of fundraising by the Thomas Fowell Buxton Society whose members felt his legacy should be marked with a permanent memorial.

Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton was an MP for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis between 1818 and 1837 and led the campaign to abolish slavery as an economic system. Sir Thomas was a Christian social reformer, chosen as a champion by William Wilberforce to carry on the work towards the eventual abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire.

Sir Thomas, who had an interest in education of the poor and prison reform, lived at Belfield House in Weymouth and Buxton Road is named after him.

The society, now a charity with TV chef Ainsley Harriott as its patron, was set up in 2010 to celebrate his achievements. As well as educational work, the vision was to erect a monument costing around 20,000. A competition to design it was won by former Weymouth College stonemasonry student Peter Loizou and other students were involved in carving it.

It was originally planned to site it in the middle of Manor roundabout on Dorchester Road.

The monument was built at the end of last year and a dedication ceremony is planned in June.

Details of the ceremony will be discussed at the societys AGM at Weymouth Community Fire Station tomorrow (Thursday) at 2pm.

Chairman of trustees James Buxton said: The society, once it has paid off its debts, will have achieved its prime objective in erecting a monument in Weymouth to celebrate the life and achievements of Thomas Fowell Buxton.

Treasurer Dr John Fannon said: The society is planning a dedication ceremony in early June 2017 and will announce details at the AGM.

Dr Fannon added that the Bishop of Sherborne had kindly agreed to lead the dedication service and the new Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Cllr Kevin Brookes, and a number of honoured guests would be invited. Preparations were being made to produce a commemorative booklet to be published for the ceremony.

For more information about Thomas Fowell Buxton visit the societys website

http://www.thomasfowellbuxton.org.uk

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Monument to Thomas Fowell Buxton on Bincleaves Green in Weymouth - Dorset Echo