THE artist who created a stunning memorial to Agatha Christie in London is being asked to complete a similar tribute in Wallingford.
In 2012, a memorial in the form of a large bronze book, featuring the crime writer’s face, was unveiled in Covent Garden.
Now a bronze statue is being planned for the South Oxfordshire town, although this time the author could be shown seated on a bench reading a book.
The crime writer, the bestselling novelist of all time, lived at Winterbrook House in Cholsey from 1934 until her death in 1976, and there is now a commemorative blue plaque on the house.
In recent years Wallingford Museum has organised an Agatha Christie festival to attract visitors to the town.
Wallingford mayor Lee Upcraft said the town council was applying for European Union funding and hoped to work with sculptor Ben Twiston-Davies once the funding was approved.
He added: “We have been liaising with Agatha Christie’s estate and it has welcomed the idea of a statue in Wallingford, provided it is completed by Mr Twiston-Davies, following his work on the sculpture in London.
“A possible design which is being considered is one showing the author seated on a bench reading a novel.”
Mr Upcraft added that the most likely location for the bronze statue was near the museum in High Street, close to the Kinecroft.
He said: “Americans tourists are always asking about Agatha Christie’s connections with Wallingford and Cholsey.
“If a statue brings in more visitors then that has to be good for the town and its traders.”
In 2014 Wallingford boosted its efforts to take advantage of the author’s connections by launching the annual festival. The next one takes place in 2019.
Judy Dewey, who runs the museum, and launched the festival, earlier welcomed the proposal.
She said: “Agatha Christie is an important part of the town’s history and the museum has a permanent display to explain that and her connections with Cholsey.”
Wallingford county councillor Lynda Atkins added: “I think statue is a brilliant idea.”
The crime writer was president of Wallingford’s drama group the Sinodun Players from 1951 until her death in 1976.
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