A Dorset resident for much of her life, Sylvia Townsend Warner (1893–1978) was an acclaimed novelist, poet, musicologist and political activist. Best known for works such as Lolly Willowes, The Corner That Held Them, and her celebrated short stories, of which over 150 were published by The New Yorker, an extraordinary achievement for any British writer, male or female. She was also one of the earliest English writers to openly portray queer women’s lives with honesty, tenderness and wit. For decades, Dorset’s literary heritage has been dominated by the voices and statues of men. This new public artwork begins to redress that imbalance and places Warner exactly where she belongs, at the heart of the county’s cultural story.
The unveiling event will include a welcome from Anya Pearson, Trustee and Chair of Visible Women UK, followed by remarks from Mel Lane, Mayoress of Dorchester, speaking on behalf of Mayor Andy Canning. There will be reflections from youth groups within the LGBTQ+ community, the Sylvia Townsend Warner Society and the Dorchester Heritage Society. Internationally bestselling author and Patron of Visible Women UK, Tracy Chevalier, will deliver the keynote speech and conduct the formal unveiling.
Anya said: “For too long, Sylvia Townsend Warner has been treated as a footnote in Dorset’s literary history, when in truth she was one of its brightest stars. By placing her statue in the heart of Dorchester, we are saying very clearly that women’s stories and queer women’s stories belong in our public spaces. Sylvia pushed boundaries, wrote without fear and lived authentically. This statue finally allows us to celebrate her as her authentic self, proudly and openly, in the town she called home.”
This statue forms part of Visible Women UK’s ongoing work to transform the representation of women in public art. The organisation previously led the campaign for the Mary Anning statue in Lyme Regis, unveiled in 2022 and now a landmark celebrating women in science and history. The Sylvia Townsend Warner statue continues this mission by championing overlooked women, supporting inclusive heritage and reshaping who’s visible in our civic landscape.
