Croydon resident's face becomes part of Westminster Abbey
By Anna Edwards
A PROJECT director has been captured stony-faced – after his contribution to the regeneration of one of Britain's most famous buildings was honoured with his head being carved in stone.
Martin Clayton, 54, led an 18-month project by English Heritage to restore the crumbling stonework of Chapter House, in Westminster Abbey, for the first time in 140 years.
As 32 of the existing 56 sculpted heads adorning the building's roof had been rendered unrecognisable by pollution, and the team could not find any trace of who they represented, it was decided the workers would be commemorated.
Mr Clayton, of Purley Downs Road, Sanderstead, never expected to see his face become part of the building, which dates to the 1250s.
He said: "It's quite traditional for people involved in restoration projects to leave their mark, although it does feel strange to think that my head will be there for at least 100 years.
"It's the first time I've been set in stone and it's a huge honour because the building has such important historical and political value."
Mr Clayton had to model for artists who took every measurement of his face – from the size of his chin to the space between his eyebrows.
He added: "I was really pleased with how it came out. I think it's a fair portrait of me.
"We've kept records and the measurements of who we are, so when the next team go to restore the building they'll have no excuse to replace our heads!"
Mr Clayton also met the Queen and Prince Philip, who came to inspect the building. He said: "We were all a bit nervous because she's such an icon.
"It was the pinnacle of my career, I went a little bit quiet but managed to talk to her about how bad the pollution had been."
4 Comments
by Mr.Angry, The Estate
Thursday, June 10 2010, 5:37PM
“Seems fair to me of all the work he has done.”
by Sara, New Addington
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 6:54PM
“WOW Linda & Joyce, you seem to be posting the same old all over this site, well sorry but if you are that concerened about having a statue for someone however nice he may have been died due to his own actions in stealing a bike and riding it without a helmet, then maybe you are all your friends should put your money where your mouth is and buy it yourself. I am a tax payer & live in New Addington and would not like my taxs being spent on something like that when the country is in such dire straits financally at the moment.”
by Joyce Jenkins, New Addington
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 4:57AM
“Who is this man?
Why was he allowed to put his likeness on Westminster Abbey?
Oh, I get it: he was the project manager and decided he wanted to be immortalised in stone.
But does he deserve it?
Look at the facts:
One man wanted a statue of himself at the expense of the tax payer and he got it.
5000+ People want a statue of Mark Gurney, Croydon council say no and are also destroying the current memorial at Marks tree.
Utter disgrace.”
by Linda, ...
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 2:23AM
“So tax payers money can be used for this statue head thing no one wants but not for a statue of Mark Gurney what 5000 people in Addo want.
Discrase.
Search on google for: PETITION TO STOP CROYDON COUNCIL REMOVING MARK GURNEYS MEMORIAL AT THE TREE”