Sylvia Townsend Warner takes a seat in Dorchester – The Sylvia Townsend Warner Society

Bronze statue of Townsend Warner sitting at the end of a wooden bench, surrounded by people pointing and taking photos — Graham Hunt Photography/Dorset Echo

STW Society Chair, Mau Ellmann, holding a red mic and giving a speech at the statue inauguration — Graham Hunt Photography/Dorset Echo

Close up photo of the STW statue, showing Sylvia's hands holding a copy of Lolly Willowes and a poem mauscript — Graham Hunt Photography/Dorset Echo

Sylvia Townsend Warner became the second ever Dorset woman to be honoured with a public statue, with the unveiling of this life-size bronze in Dorchester last December. Like the first, depicting palaeontologist Mary Anning in Lyme Regis, it was the work of sculptor Denise Dutton and the result of a public vote and crowdfunder spearheaded by the charity Visible Women UK. The cat brushing up against Sylvia’s feet was modelled on Susie, a well-known local character, and she is shown clutching her novel Lolly Willowes, sheets of music and the manuscript of a love poem. The statue was opened by author Tracy Chevalier, and the incoming Chair of the STW Society, Maud Ellmann (middle, above) was among the speakers who addressed the large crowd on South Street.