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Lisa Nandy pledges Athelstan anniversary plans after calls for commemoration
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she had not previously been told about calls to mark the 1,100th anniversary of England’s unification under King Athelstan. She said her department would work with the Government’s ceremonials minister to arrange a fitting commemoration.
The anniversary falls on 12 July, marking Athelstan’s unification of the English kingdoms in 927. Proposals include commemorative coins and stamps, school lessons and a statue in Trafalgar Square; Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has also called for a bank holiday. The Government has said it has no plans for one, citing an estimated £2 billion cost to the UK economy.
In short
- Nandy says officials will work on an Athelstan anniversary commemoration.
- Calls include coins, stamps, school lessons and a Trafalgar Square statue.
- The Government says a one-off bank holiday could cost £2 billion.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Labour’s Lisa Nandy admits she was unaware of 1,100th anniversary of England’s foundation next year amid calls for celebrations and statue of King Athelstan in Trafalgar Square”.