BALLOT: Memorial is tribute to Stuart’s love of our city (From Worcester News)

BALLOT: Memorial is tribute to Stuart’s love of our city

9:00am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

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A MEMORIAL to the Battle of Worcester has been unveiled in memory of a city stalwart.

The artwork, which was handmade out of galvanised steel, has been acid-etched to create a darker colour and has helmets, breastplates and pikes to represent the opposing combatants of the Civil War.

The memorial has been erected in memory of Stuart McNidder – a former head of development services at Worcester City Council – who died in 2006 aged 63 following a year-long battle with throat cancer.

Placed on the canal bridge at Sidbury beside the Commandery centre, the sculpture has been attached to the bridge parapet wall and was designed to be visually prominent from the surrounding area, including the canalside.

Costing about £14,000 made up of funding from public subscription and the help of friends, family, colleagues and the city council, it was created by Lawrence Walker, whose work was admired by Mr McNidder, and who also made the City Arcade gates opposite the Guildhall.

Mr McNidder rose through the ranks during his 21-year career with the city council to become city architect and planning officer and director of technical services.

He was one of the most influential members of staff in the city council’s history and is credited with helping to create Warndon Villages. He was awarded an MBE for service to planning and conservation.

After his death, a fund was set up to enable a memorial to be put up, under the guidance of a steering group made up of council officers, the mayor and Mr McNidder’s family.

The artwork conveys the action around Sidbury Gate which was so decisive to the outcome of the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

Councillor Andy Roberts, Mayor of Worcester said: “We need to do more to mark an event which is of importance far beyond Worcester.

“Stuart was passionate about the Sidbury area and its history so it is proper that we commemorate his contribution to the city through a lasting memorial to the English Civil War.

“As the inscription on his memorial so aptly states, ‘All who live, work or visit here benefit from his lasting contribution to the excellent planning and design in the city’.”

Lord Faulkner of Worcester will join the Mayor to officially unveil the plaque on Friday.