Background

In early 2004 a statue was proposed in memory of the founder of the Morgan Motor Company - the UK‟s sole remaining British owned car manufacturer in Malvern, Worcestershire where Morgan cars have been hand built for over 100 years. This resulted in the design for a life size "living statue" of founder H.F.S. Morgan, his son and the iconic Morgan 4/4. The statue by the UK‟s leading sculptor, Leslie Johnson FRBS, supported by English Heritage, received planning permission to be located outside the Priory Gatehouse built in 1480, is set to become a major tourist attraction in the West Midlands and the UK. (Ref: www.morgan-statue.org)

Funding

The Trustees have succeeded in raising donations of almost £60,000 from the Morgan Motor Company, Ford Motor Company and Morgan clubs and enthusiasts around the world against the latest estimated cost of £350,000. When the project was initiated in 2004, funding was not considered to be a problem as Arts Council England indicated to the Chairman that the statue would “very likely” attract an 80% maximum grant from them through the National Lottery. However, after London was awarded the 2012 Olympic Games, National Lottery funding has been prioritised to this event. The maximum possible grant from this source is now expected to be £100,000.

Future

At a meeting of the Trustees on 10th November 2010 it was unanimously agreed to now increase and extend efforts to raise the remaining funding for the statue. The Trustees are still keen to use the agreed site outside the Priory Gatehouse and will reapply for planning permission - as the original planning permission period has elapsed. The Morgan Statue will be the Morgan Motor Company‟s chosen charity in 2011. The 1/5th life size Morgan Statue bronze statuette is on display at the Morgan Motor Company Museum in Malvern. The Morgan Statue continues to enjoy excellent support from the Foundation‟s Honorary Patrons: Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, Sir Stirling Moss OBE, John Surtees OBE and Charles Morgan as well as support from the Malvern Councils and the local population. Contributions can be paid directly to the MSF bank account or mailed to the MSF address. The Trustees are confident that contributions and grants will reach the amount required. Charles Morgan Corporate Trustee Morgan Motor Company Limited Pickersleigh Road Malvern Link WR14 2LL Tel: +44 (0)1684 573104