Dante finds Paradise in Midhurst

Cocking based sculptor Philip Jackson is gifting a bronze-cast sculpture to the town with plans for it to be placed in Market Square because, to the artist, ‘Midhurst is Paradise’.

The statue’s subject matter is Dante’s quest for paradise as mentioned in his Divine Comedy.

Vice-chairman of The Midhurst Society, Harvey Tordoff, said he had approached Philip ‘with great trepidation’ asking to borrow a fibreglass model for display in the town.

He reportedly turned the society down but offered one his bronze sculptures.

Mr Tordoff said: “The town council and I were looking at ways to improve Midhurst for first time visitors.

“It is a big thing for Midhurst. Midhurst is a wonderful place to live.”

Philip Jackson said: “The sculpture is of Dante having found paradise and I do agree with him – it’s a lovely town.”

The maquette for the sculpture has been completed. Lockdown measures mean the finished piece will be unveiled in the coming months once the foundry reopens and planning permissions have been approved.

Mr Jackson added: “It would be nice to have a lot of people there but at the moment that just wouldn’t be possible.”

The sculptor received more acclaim this week as he was named as a recipient of the Freedom of the City of Chichester.

He said: “I’m delighted. It is a great honour and it doesn’t happen to many people and I am thrilled that it should come my way.”

A date for the ceremony has been set for April 15 with hopes of holding it at the cathedral.

Mayor of Chichester Richard Plowman said: “It is absolutely brilliant. I think everybody knows him and his international work. It is really for the support that he has given to Chichester.“