A GROUP formed to promote Basildon’s public art is gathering support.

More than 50 people have joined Basildon Arts Collective.

Last week, it met to appoint a chairman and secretary, choose an official logo, and announce the launch of its website.

The site, designed by Steve Waters, one of the creators of the Old Man Stan videos, offers Basildon’s painters, sculptors, performers, heritage bosses, and other members of the arts community, an interactive platform to swap news and ideas.

The group was set up in response to Basildon Council’s controversial decision, in January, to remove the iconic Woodsman Poacher sculpture from the town centre.

The work, by Noak Bridge-based artist Dave Chapple, who died last year, had stood, in St Martin’s Square, since 1996.

Artists and supporters of all ages attended the meeting, at the pastoral centre, in St Martin’s church, in Basildon town centre.

Robert Fillary, 21, from Basildon, said: “It’s a shame it took something as sad as removing the Woodsman Poacher for this to happen. It should have happened a long time ago.

“This is about artists from different mediums coming together. Hopefully, we can make a difference and make the council care about art.”

Abby Holdsworth, 18, from Laindon, was so impressed with the group she volunteered to be its secretary. She said: “I think the group is a really good idea. There are a lot of uncultured people in Basildon and this is a good way of getting people thinking about art.

“Art is really neglected here. No one on the council seems to care about it. Hopefully we can change that.”

Members voted for local artist Liz Grant, 52, to continue as chairman.

They were also given an update on the Woodsman Poacher’s condition by heritage campaigner Vin Harrop.

When it was taken down in January, the council took the artwork to Wat Tyler Country Park, where it intended to display it.

This outraged Mr Chapple’s family and local artists, who mounted a campaign to bring it back to the town.

Mr Harrop said the sculpture was currently in storage at the park and there were plans to have it restored.

He also said Mr Chapple’s family were hopeful a deal could be reached with the council to see the sculpture returned to a new location in the town centre.

For further information about the group, call Darren Chaplin on 07977 173556 or visit basildonartscollective.ning.com