George Michael’s family given go-ahead for memorial after “resistance” from locals

nme.com:

George Michael‘s family have been granted permission to build a memorial in honour of the late pop icon in Oxfordshire.The pop icon’s estate made plans to create a bronze stature in his honour five years ago with the local council in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, and now is when the plans have been approved.According to councillors, there was some “resistance” from the 3,200 residents, who include many wealthy retired people.

When the application for the memorial was first made, parish councillor Catherine Hall said: “I’m reluctant to even agree in principle because we risk stirring up a hornets’ nest.”A post shared by George Michael (@georgemofficial)As reported by The Sun, sculptor Laura Lian had met with Michael’s best friend Andros Georgiou at the memorial site to discuss the project this past weekend (July 1).A source told The Sun: “Everyone is thrilled to finally have the go ahead.

Work starts soon. Laura was introduced to George’s estate by a friend and they loved her previous work, including figures of David Bowie and John Lennon.”They added: “Everyone is looking forward to one day being able to unveil the statue in Goring.

George lived a quiet life there for 17 years and loved it”Michael’s WHAM! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley previously backed calls for a memorial to his late friend, saying on Good Morning Britain: ‘I think there’s a very good case for that.A post shared by George Michael (@georgemofficial)The ‘Freedom’ singer passed away in cottage in Goring-on-Thames on Christmas day in 2016 at the age of 53.