Stroud District Council Black Boy Clock Review

Following the publication of Stroud District Council’s review on place names, including the Black Boy Clock figurine, in which 78.6% of respondents said they feel that the statue should be removed, SAR director Gary Huskisson reflects on the outcome.

Well done to all the volunteers and supporters of SAR, as the The Black Boy, a 249 year old mechanised figure in Castle Street, Stroud, could be removed from being enslaved to the clock mechanism.  

The figure, with huge red lips and a gold leaf skirt is a relic from the colonial past and many feel that it is highly offensive. 

It is great news for artist local Dan Guthrie who requested the review to SDC which initiated the consultation. Dan has been haunted by the figurine for most of his life and felt that it was time that the issue was addressed.

The volume of responses to the consultation and the outcome in favour of relocating the figurine shows that local people do have a conscience and has consistently shown that people in Stroud care about their fellow man. 

It also illustrates that contrary to the opinion of Siobhan Baillie MP, that banning past prejudice by making it disappear is valid in a mature democracy. 

Full report available here.