Robert Owen statute and garden could be listed by Cadw

A proposal has been put forward by Cadw to grant listed status to a statue of Robert Owen, a prominent Welsh textile manufacturer, philanthropist, and social reformer who was born in Newtown over 250 years ago.

The Grade II listing would also include the walls surrounding the memorial garden situated between Shortbridge Street and Gas Street.

An interim protection order is currently in place while a consultation on the potential listing is being conducted. The public has until November 13th to provide their views on the matter. It is an offence to damage the structure while the interim protection order is in place.

Cadw, the historic environment service of the Welsh government, has stated that the statue is proposed for listing due to "its special architectural interest as a fine piece of twentieth century commemorative sculpture by noted sculptors, and for its historical association with Robert Owen."

The statue was erected in 1956, the work of Gilbert Bayes, though completed after his death by William Charles Holland King. It is made of bronze and sits on a low granite plinth.  

Robert Owen (1771-1858) was born and died in Newtown. Owen’s supporters sought a memorial soon after his death, and a fund was set up at the time.

However, the town fathers of Newtown opposed the erection of a statue in the town on account of Owen’s atheism, and it was not until 1950 that a committee was established to consider the erection of a statue.

Funds were provided by the Cooperative Union, and Gilbert Bayes was commissioned in 1951, but he died in 1953, and the work was completed by William Charles Holland King. The plaque on the rear boundary wall of the garden (q.v.) forms part of the same commission.

The garden was created on previous open space in 1936, originally dedicated to the memory of George V, who died that year. It acquired its new name following the erection of the Robert Owen statue in 1956, and was refurbished in 2016.  

The full Cadw report can be found here.