Readers will be interested to learn that the statue of one of our staunchest Quakers, Joseph Sturge VI, is to be restored. One of his descendants, Joseph E Sturge, of Malvern Meeting writes:

'A once splendid but now bedraggled statue stands below the Five Ways junction in Birmingham – the left hand severed, the plinth in a serious state of disrepair, the whole marred by many decades of grime. It is the statue of the remarkable 19th century Quaker anti-slavery campaigner and philanthropist Joseph Sturge VI. What should be a proud public affirmation of 19th century Quakerism is at present anything but.

'I determined that something must be done and went to see Jane Arthur, the Birmingham City Council's executive responsible for statues. I was pleased to find her of the same mind, but short of funds. So, to augment her budget and to ensure that Friends and the Sturge family can share in the 'ownership' of this project, I launched an appeal at the Sturge Family Pilgrimage in Bristol in July. It has so far had an encouraging response. Now, as an act of faith, Jane Arthur has put the project out for tender.'

The hope is that the statue will be restored in time for the 2007 bicentenary of the outlawing of the slave trade.