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Tyburn gallows memorial mystery solved
THE mystery of the missing memorial to the notorious Tyburn Tree – the wooden gallows where hundreds were executed during the 18th century – has been solved by the West End Extra.
A small stone cross marking the spot near Marble Arch disappeared over the summer due to the refurbishment of a traffic island.
The site is revered as the scene where members of the Catholic Church were executed on the grounds of their faith alone and there was dismay when the memorial to “martyrs” was not replaced.
But the West End Extra’s investigations have found that plans are being considered at City Hall for a brand new memorial – possibly on a much grander scale.
The idea of three illuminated pillars in the shape of the Tyburn Tree has been discussed. Another possibility is etching the “shadow” of the gallows into the pavement brickwork – a suggestion which is thought to hold more weight among planners.
The Tyburn Tree holds notoriety within the Catholic Church. It was built to allow multiple hangings.
Minutes of private sessions of the Westminster Public Art Advisory Panel show the plans for a new memorial were discussed at the end of the summer.
Father Tim Finnigan, the parish priest of Our Lady of Rosary in Blackfen, who first pointed out the missing memorial on his website blog, said: “The site is of great spiritual importance for Catholics in London because it was the place of execution of many of their forebears who died solely for professing the Catholic faith.” |
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