Vote backs new home for removed Ashbourne black head sculpture

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the meeting agreed that, in line with other “contested heritage” items, the head would be retained on public display but in a less prominent spot with ample explanatory information.

Town resident Graham Elliott said the Black’s Head was an “iconic part of the streetscene for over 200 years” and was not seen as racially offensive until “a keyboard warrior started a petition”.

Robert Archer, one of the town’s district councillors, and also a history teacher, said: “History should be learned from and not erased.

“While I completely accept that this artefact may not have been intended to be racist or offensive and also that the people that want it back up are not racist, the origin and history of it is disputed and unclear.

“What is clear is that the design and style of the head is certainly concerning in a modern context.”

He said that following millions of pounds of improvements to Ashbourne “to place the Black’s Head back on the gallows sign… would I believe be a backwards step and would damage the reputation of the town just as it is being seen as a great place to visit again”.

Councillor Dermot Murphy said: “Many people want it back in situ. I don’t believe it was put up originally to ridicule anybody or mock anybody, it was put up without any concerns that it would not be palatable

“We should not sanitise history just to please some people.”

Neil Buttle, co-deputy council leader, said: “I think it is time that we move on from this sort of thing and it reflects poorly on Ashbourne and I think putting it in an historical context is a good way forward.”