Gustav Holst Statue to be unveiled

The statue of Cheltenham born composer Gustav Holst is to be unveiled on April 4. The statue is to be placed in the centre of the fountain in Imperial Gardens near the Town Hall, where he conducted his most famous piece The Planets in 1927. The late Elizabeth Hamond, a member of Cheltenham Civic Society, bequeathed £45,000 for the creation of the statue. The plinth of the statue will be decorated with plaques depicting the individual planets which he used as an inspiration for his work. Renowned sculptor Anthony Stones, based near Lechlade, created the statue.

Mark Elder, the Music Director of a Halle orchestra will unveil the statue to the sound of a fanfare specially composed for this occasion by the Cotswold-based composer Raymond Head, which will be played by pupils from Pate's Grammar School - the school Holst, who was born in Clarence Street, attended as a boy. Cheltenham Bach Choir will sing music by Holst.

For more information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.