Help Raise A Statue for Sylvia Townsend Warner.

by Visible Women UK in Dorchester, England, United Kingdom

Total raised £12,170

 
Gift Aid
+ est. £410.00
£85,000 target 79 days left
14% 21 supporters
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 21st January 2025 at 8:17am

Help us raise a statue of the writer, poet & LGBTQ+ trailblazer Sylvia Townsend Warner in Dorchester & give her the recognition she deserves

by Visible Women UK in Dorchester, England, United Kingdom

Who was Sylvia Townsend Warner, and why does she deserve a statue?

Sylvia Townsend Warner was a pioneering novelist and poet whose work defied conventions in literature and life. A contemporary of Virginia Woolf and Djuna Barnes, Warner gained early recognition with her debut novel Lolly Willowes (1926), which was shortlisted for the Prix Femina. It marked her out as a fresh voice in modernist fiction.

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Sylvia in the 1920s

A sharp wit.

Over her career, Warner wrote many novels and contributed short stories to the New Yorker for over forty years. Her literary work, characterised by sharp wit and profound understanding, frequently explored the oddities and complexities of human nature. Through her writing and storytelling, Townsend Warner looked closely at the contradictions and idiosyncrasies of human life, often revealing profound truths about society and personal identity. 

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Sylvia in later life.

Valentine Ackland, her long-term partner.

Townsend Warner's personal life was just as remarkable as her literary achievements. She spent most of her adult life in rural Dorset with poet Valentine Ackland, her long-term partner. At a time when same-sex relationships were heavily stigmatised, their partnership defied societal expectations, positioning both Townsend Warner and Ackland as pioneers for LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance.

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Valentine and Sylvia.

Unsung female trailblazer.

Though Townsend Warner’s reputation was revived in the 1970s with the Virago Modern Classics series, she remains an underappreciated figure. In a literary landscape traditionally dominated by Dorset’s celebrated male writers like Thomas Hardy and William Barnes, it is essential to recognise the voice and contributions of an unsung female trailblazer like Townsend Warner.

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Sylvia and her love of cats.

So why a statue?

We aim to honour Townsend Warner’s legacy by introducing her physical presence into Dorchester with a beautiful work of art. This public artwork will serve as a focal point of remembrance and respect, celebrating Dorchester's rich and diverse heritage while ensuring that her personal and literary story continues to inspire. Especially in rural communities, where LGBTQ+ heritage can often be lost or overlooked, such a tribute would provide visibility and connection, offering the next generation a chance to see themselves reflected in their town’s history. By championing Townsend Warner’s legacy, we aim to introduce her work to new readers, inspire further scholarly debate, and pave the way for greater acceptance and equality.

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Denise Dutton’s preliminary sketch of how the statue could look.

Susie the Cat

Sylvia was an avid cat lover, and over the years, she was often photographed with her cherished feline companions. Naturally, we felt it fitting to include a cat in her sculpture, and who better to serve as the model than Dorchester’s own Susie the Cat? We’ve spoken with Susie’s owners, who are thrilled she will help sculptor Denise Dutton bring this beautiful bronze statue to life for Dorchester.

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Sylvia, her feline companions & Susie the Cat


Our Patron, Tracy Chevalier 

We are incredibly fortunate to have the support and patronage of one of Dorset’s most celebrated writers, Tracy Chevalier. Known worldwide for her best-selling novels that bring to life forgotten histories—especially those of overlooked or underrepresented women—Tracy’s dedication to illuminating untold female stories makes her the perfect fit for our campaign. We couldn’t be more thankful for her support.

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Novelist & Patron Tracy Chevalier


Be a part of this important campaign.

Become a part of this historic campaign to get Sylvia Townsend Warner her statue in Dorchester, Dorset. Please donate what you can; every penny will make a real difference in recognising Townsend Warner's significance and legacy for future generations. 

Thank you! 

 

Rewards

This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.

£20 or more

Your Ticket to the Unveiling

This is your invitation to the unveiling of Sylvia Townsend Warner’s statue. Be part of this fantastic event. Stand in the heart of historic Dorchester on (Date to be confirmed) and say, ‘I helped do this.’ We will send you an E-ticket link to register as soon as we have a confirmed date for the unveiling.

£20 or more

An Illustarted & Signed Card from Susie the Cat

Dorchester's very own superstar cat, Susie, is going to be the model for the cat in Sylvia Townsend Warner's statue, so why not treat that cat lover in your family to a signed card from her and help us build this statue? PLEASE NOTE: These will be sent 2nd class post at the end of the crowdfunding in January. We will be in touch to let you know once your card has been sent in the New Year. The design will be posted soon in our update page.

£25 or more

Limited Edition Printed Tote Bag

This is a limited edition print on a non-bleached organic cotton fabric for our campaign. Check out our updates to see an image that will be updated soon. Pledge today and grab yourself our cute bag before they all go. When we did these for Mary Anning's statue, they sold out in days.

£35 or more

Buy a Small Bronze Ingot & Help Make Susie The Cat

Help us physically create Sylvia’s and Susie's statue by purchasing a virtual bronze ingot that will be melted down and used to make the statue. As Susie is smaller, we thought we'd add a smaller ingot! This prize also includes your invitation to the unveiling event. Stand in the heart of historic Dorchester on (Date TBC) and say, ‘I helped do this.’ We will send you your online ticket as soon as we have a confirmed date for the unveiling

£40 or more

Buy a Bronze Ingot & Help Make Sylvia’s Statue

Help us physically create Sylvia’s statue by purchasing a virtual bronze ingot that will be melted down and used to make the statue. This prize also includes your invitation to the unveiling event. Stand in the heart of historic Dorchester on (Date to be confirmed) and say, ‘I helped do this.’ We will send you your online ticket as soon as we have a confirmed date for the unveiling.

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