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Statue of Sir Tasker is unveiled | Statue of Sir Tasker is unveiled |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A statue honouring the late Victoria Cross holder and former Welsh Rugby Union president Sir Tasker Watkins has been unveiled by his daughter. | A statue honouring the late Victoria Cross holder and former Welsh Rugby Union president Sir Tasker Watkins has been unveiled by his daughter. |
The 9ft (2.7m) bronze sculpture takes pride of place on the walkway leading into the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. | The 9ft (2.7m) bronze sculpture takes pride of place on the walkway leading into the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. |
Lady Mair Griffith-Williams performed the ceremony in front of a distinguished audience. | Lady Mair Griffith-Williams performed the ceremony in front of a distinguished audience. |
Sir Tasker, whose wartime bravery earned him the Victoria Cross at the age of 25 in 1944, died two years ago. | Sir Tasker, whose wartime bravery earned him the Victoria Cross at the age of 25 in 1944, died two years ago. |
The ceremony followed a march from Cardiff Castle by 2nd battalion, the Royal Welsh Regiment, and the Royal Welsh band. | The ceremony followed a march from Cardiff Castle by 2nd battalion, the Royal Welsh Regiment, and the Royal Welsh band. |
Among those there were First Minister Rhodri Morgan, Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, Welsh assembly Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis Thomas, The Archbishop of Wales and Major General R J M Porter. | Among those there were First Minister Rhodri Morgan, Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, Welsh assembly Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis Thomas, The Archbishop of Wales and Major General R J M Porter. |
Mr Morgan called him "a unique individual" and "truly one of the outstanding Welshmen of the 20th century". | Mr Morgan called him "a unique individual" and "truly one of the outstanding Welshmen of the 20th century". |
The family is extremely grateful to everyone who has made this possible Lady Mair Griffith-Williams, Sir Tasker's daughter | |
Lady Griffith-Williams said: "I am very proud that my father has been commemorated by this wonderful statue and particularly pleased it is here at the Millennium Stadium. | |
"The family is extremely grateful to everyone who has made this possible." | |
The campaign to create it was led by the current WRU president Dennis Gethin, along with food entrepreneur Stan Thomas Sr and his businessman son Sir Stanley Thomas. | The campaign to create it was led by the current WRU president Dennis Gethin, along with food entrepreneur Stan Thomas Sr and his businessman son Sir Stanley Thomas. |
The Welsh Assembly Government and Cardiff council both contributed towards the £100,000 statue in honour of Sir Tasker, who died aged 88 in September 2007. | The Welsh Assembly Government and Cardiff council both contributed towards the £100,000 statue in honour of Sir Tasker, who died aged 88 in September 2007. |
'Fitting tribute' | 'Fitting tribute' |
Sir Tasker, who was born in Nelson, Caerphilly, became an eminent judge, and was knighted in 1971. | |
He also became deputy lord chief justice of England and Wales, and was president of the WRU from 1993 to 2004. | |
Sir Tasker Watkins was Welsh Rugby Union president for 11 years | |
Mr Gethin said: "This statue is a fitting tribute to a Welshman who achieved such distinction through his involvement in the military, the law and rugby. | Mr Gethin said: "This statue is a fitting tribute to a Welshman who achieved such distinction through his involvement in the military, the law and rugby. |
"His endeavours displayed astonishing courage, a remarkable intellect, profound wisdom and a sense of honour which earned him the respect of all who met him." | "His endeavours displayed astonishing courage, a remarkable intellect, profound wisdom and a sense of honour which earned him the respect of all who met him." |
It is the work of the Llantwit Major-based artist Roger Andrews, who called it "by far the most thrilling project I have ever been involved in". | |
Mr Andrews said: "If I never completed another work I am certain this is the one sculpture I passionately wanted to create. | Mr Andrews said: "If I never completed another work I am certain this is the one sculpture I passionately wanted to create. |
"In order to achieve a true likeness of the man I have spoken to many of his friends and family because I wanted to capture his character as well as his physical likeness." | "In order to achieve a true likeness of the man I have spoken to many of his friends and family because I wanted to capture his character as well as his physical likeness." |