A “keep the sheep” campaign is gathering momentum in Kirkby Stephen.
More than 200 people have signed a petition against a proposal to move two “landmark” sheep seats from outside the Upper Eden Visitor Centre to another part of town.
Beverley Howarth, of Kirkby Stephen’s Berry Grape & Vine business, which overlooks the sheep seats, said 41 people had signed the ‘Save Our Sheep’ petition which had been in her shop since the weekend.
There were also about 100 signatures on the petition at the Church Gallery, in Market Street, as well as about 60 on the sheet at the visitor centre, while many people on social media were also backing the “keep the sheep” campaign.
“Everybody feels very, very passionately about it,” said Beverley.
“People sit on them and have pictures taken all the time. They are used and they are a big feature,” she added.
It is understood that the proposal is to move the sheep seats down to Silver Street garden where there are plans to create a memorial garden for Joan Johnstone who played a huge part in the life of the community, serving for three decades on the town council and as its chairman for many years.
A volunteer at the Upper Eden Visitor centre said: “Most people believe or know that the sheep were made for here. One of the sheep actually has an OS map in its mouth which would suggest that it should be outside a place where people come in to get maps.
“They are made for there and fit there. People come in and get a map, then go out and sit down and look to see where they are going – it just works – and they are part of our heritage, if you like,” said the volunteer. It was also stressed nobody had anything against a memorial garden being created for Joan Johnstone, that was said to be a “lovely idea”.
Phil Dew said he had been asked to raise the issue of the visitor centre sheep at a meeting of Kirkby Stephen Town Council. He said there was a rumour in town that the sheep were going to “migrate” to the Silver Street gardens.
Town council chairman Paul Richardson said: “The idea is that as Silver Street gardens are being upgraded the sheep seats might look quite nicely relocated within the boundary wall. So it is an idea that the sheep could be moved.”
He told the meeting that the architect had a 3D scanning facility, so he had been able to scan the sheep and will be able to produce a photographic image of what they would look like in place, without moving them.
“Then we can judge if they would look suitable or not,” said Mr Richardson.
He added that he would like people to see the image first, rather than make up their minds before looking at it. Town councillor Sandy Lancaster said there was also a plan for two new information boards going on the walls behind the sheep and a question as to whether the sheep seats would then interfere with people being able to get to these boards to look at them.
Alex Birtles, who also sits on the town council, said they were Eden District Council commissioned seats. One of them has a map in its mouth to associate it with what was then a tourist information centre and is now the Upper Eden visitor centre, he said.
“Would it be possible for us to commission another similar sculpture for Joan’s garden?” asked town councillor Mike Walker.
Following the meeting, a spokesman for Kirkby Stephen Town Council said: “Correspondence had been received regarding the refurbishment of the exterior of the building and the creation of a memorial garden celebrating Joan Johnstone at Silver Street. The suggested inclusion of the sheep seating currently situated outside the Visitor Information Centre in the memorial garden was opposed by correspondents.
“It was agreed that the correspondence was premature and that the proposals would be consulted on when finalised. Correspondents had received a reply advising them of the council’s intention to consult on any proposals and asking them to keep an open mind on the subject.”
