Greta Thunberg’s £24,000 statue is MOVED from university’s main entrance after furious students slammed it as a waste of money
- University of Winchester moves ‘greenwash’ Greta statue from main entrance
Published: 15:21, 11 January 2024 | Updated: 15:45, 11 January 2024
A university has relocated a controversial lifesize statue of Greta Thunberg[2] from its main entrance to a secluded spot after furious students slammed the GBP24,000 spend as a waste of money.
The University of Winchester[3] came under fire over the bronze sculpture as students said the money could be spent on more meaningful environmental commitments, branding the memorial a ‘greenwash’.
After protests last year and the sculpture becoming a target for anti-social behaviour, the statue was removed as the university insisted they did so to ‘provide a more stable plinth’ for it.
Now, the sculpture has been re-erected to a more secluded spot in the university’s courtyard.
The statue of the Swedish activist named ‘Make A Difference’ was unveiled outside the university’s main entrance in March 2021.
The University of Winchester has relocated a lifesize statue of Greta Thunberg statue from its main entrance to a secluded spot after furious students slammed the GBP24,000 spend as a waste of money (the statue pictured before it was moved)
Greta Thunberg’s statue in its new place tucked away after students branded it a ‘greenwash’
Thunberg, now 21, rose to fame in 2018 after she skipped school to demonstrate outside the Swedish parliament for more action against climate change[4].
After its installation, the sculpture – which was commissioned by the institution – created a backlash among students and locals alike who accused the university of ‘wasting money on meaningless statues’.
The then President of the SU, Megan Ball, said the erection of the sculpture showed the issues of ‘unimaginable financial impacts’, staff redundancies, library cuts and a ‘crippling mental health crisis amongst students’ were ‘not priorities’ of the university.
Locals in the Hampshire city also expressed bemusement over the sculpture as the activist had no link to the area.
In January last year, seven months before its initial removal, students staged a demonstration on campus and accused the ‘upper echelons’ of ignoring its self-proclaimed commitment to the environment.
During the demonstration, students protested against the inclusion of beef on the canteen menu and requested the university make vegan options cheaper.
A university spokesman said at the time: ‘For many years the University of Winchester has led the way on issues of sustainability and social justice in the higher education sector and we look forward to continuing to do so.
‘These values are embedded in everything we do to provide an excellent educational experience for our students.
‘We are pleased to have now finished the important work to complete our project using GBP3.1m awarded from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to make our campus more energy efficient and reduce our environmental impact.
‘We are always happy to meet with students to discuss any concerns they might have.’
Greta Thunberg, arrives at Westminster Magistrates Court on November 15 2023 after being charged under Section 14 of the Public Order Act
In July last year, the statue was removed and residents suggested it had been taken down due to people climbing on it and becoming a target for anti-social behaviour – but this was denied by the University.
Speaking at the time of its initial relocation, a spokesman said: ‘The removal has taken place to provide a more stable plinth for the statue so it can be enjoyed for years to come.
The statue, along with other works of art on campus, is a popular destination for visitors to our campus.
‘We will be delighted to continue welcoming anyone who wishes to view it once the work is completed.
‘The statue’s new location in the courtyard garden in the University’s West Downs Centre is fully accessible by the public along with our cafes and shop.’
However, locals were unconvinced with one posting online under the name ‘Southern View’ saying: ‘What a silly see-through statement, ‘we are going to put it on a more stable plinth’.
‘Obvious tosh, it’s been put out of the way because it’s not popular and a waste of money – next move melt it down.’
The statue has now been located to a secluded spot within the University of Winchester’s courtyard garden, at its West Downs campus.
The university has been contacted for comment on the statue’s new location.
Climate Change & Global WarmingGreta Thunberg[5][6]
References
- ^ Oliver Price (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Greta Thunberg (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ University of Winchester (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ climate change (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Climate Change & Global Warming (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Greta Thunberg (www.dailymail.co.uk)