Chinese delegates shown Stratford site of pavilion gift

A group of delegates from the People's Government of Fuzhou Municipality, which is gifting Stratford-on-Avon District Council a traditional Peony pavilion, has been shown the prospective site for the structure.

Pictured: Stratford-on-Avon District Council Executive Director Dave Webb and Chairman Cllr Christopher Kettle with delegates from Fuzhou

The pavilion, a typical symbol of the works of the Chinese playwright Tang Xianzu, is set to be installed in Firs Garden, by Grove Road and Rother Street in Stratford-upon-Avon, in 2019. The delegates discussed the building of the structure, with District Council representatives keen to ensure that it is in place for April 2019.

The pavilion will mark the latest link between Stratford and the Fuzhou Municipality in a collaboration that aims to strengthen ties between the district and China. Councillors are looking to build on the cultural partnership to boost trade and investment links and strengthen the local economy.

Key to the cultural partnership is Sanweng Town, a new cultural attraction being built 14km from Fuzhou, which will celebrate the lives and works of William Shakespeare, Tang Xianzu and Miguel de Cervantes. Sanweng will feature reconstructions of some of the hometowns of each artist.

Cllr Tony Jefferson, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said: "Seeing the projected site for the pavilion has made the project so much more real. I am looking forward to its erection at the site, as it is a tangible sign of our continuing links with China.

"Although it is part of the cultural partnership we have established with Fuzhou, there is so much more that both parties wish to gain from the collaboration. We hope that we will see increased business and trade links with the region bringing in investment and boosting the economies of both regions."

A planning application for the pavilion should be submitted before the end of August, with the public then able to make any comments before it is considered around eight weeks later.