Nancy statue removed from Hoe

The statue of Nancy Astor has been removed from the Hoe for essential maintenance work - five months after it was first fenced off after becoming unstable.

Specialist contractors cut her bolts and removed the bronze figure after she developed a wobble. The stability issue will be addressed by work to the plinth to support the statue in this location, just in front of 3 Elliot Terrace – which Lady Astor gifted to the city.

The repair works are expected to take up to 12 weeks. The company that made her – Bronze Age – will carry out the work which also includes a specialist clean.

The Nancy statue – which was sculptured by Hayley Gibbs – was commissioned by Plymouth Women in Business Networking after a Crowdfunder campaign. It was then gifted to the city. The sculptor has been liaising closely with the Council and Bronze Age to agree the works.

It was unveiled in November 2019 by the former Prime Minister Theresa May. Nancy Astor was the first female to take a seat in the House of Commons and served as an MP for the city of Plymouth for 26 years.