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16th May 2012

EARL SUPPORTS SANDWICH STATUE

A project is underway to erect a life size statue of the inventor of the sandwich in the historic east Kent town after which the iconic food item is named.

Speaking at a lunch in Sandwich on 13 May to mark the 250^th anniversary of the creation of the famous takeaway snack, the 11^th Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu, said his family is “commissioning a full size bronze of the 4^th Earl to stand in a prominent place in this town.”

The international food favourite first entered the history books when in 1762 the 4^th Earl called for beef between two slices of bread to be brought to his gambling table so he could continue his card game uninterrupted.

Expressing the wish that the statue would strengthen his family’s ties with the town, the 11^th Earl observed that “you would hardly have imagined that this simple invention would spawn a multi-million dollar industry”.

Orlando Montagu, son of the 11^th Earl, is already in the sandwich business as a partner with Planet Hollywood founder Robert Earl in an international chain of restaurants called “Earl of Sandwich” which includes outlets in Disneyland in California, Paris and Ludgate Hill in London.

He said that discussions have already taken place with a nationally prominent sculptor, Nicholas Dimbleby. Possible designs range from a classic standing statue to one that shows the 4th Earl seated in a more informal setting.

“A statue would help put Sandwich on the map,” says Steve Laslett, one of the anniversary event’s organisers. “We need to build on our town’s history. In addition to honouring an important figure – it would be a visitor attraction and a tourist photo opportunity.”

“Eventually, we are also interested in highlighting the connection to the town of other notable historical personalities, such as Samuel Pepys and Tom Paine.”

In the light of the success of the 250^th anniversary weekend, thought is being given to holding an annual sandwich snack-themed event beginning next May, he added.

The commemorative lunch was part of a weekend of anniversary celebrations in the town. Visitors and locals enjoyed activities ranging from a period dress re-enactment of the 4^th Earl calling for a sandwich and a concert of 18^th Century music, to a food fayre and a closely contested sandwich-making competition judged by the 11th Earl and local MP Laura Sandys.

SW

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