Council defends spending £6,000 on artwork likened to a ‘baked potato’

Spudtacular? (Picture: Wales News Service)

A council has defended its decision to spend thousands on a commemorative structure likened to a ‘baked potato.’

Locals in Chepstow, Wales had kept their eyes peeled for the new addition on a popular coastal path.

But once it arrived, some were less than impressed.

The pebble-like structure, created by artist Michael Johnson, was commissioned to mark the tenth anniversary of the coastal walkway.

It was unveiled on March 27 by television presenter Iolo Williams and former National Poet of Wales Ifor ap Glyn.

In one clip posted by Monmouthshire County Council, the sound of ‘oohs’ followed by a modest applause could be heard as the structure was unveiled.

‘Isn’t that beautiful,’ he said. ‘I now announce this pebble open.’

But the structure was soon branded something entirely different once it reached the comment sections of Facebook and the replies of Twitter.

The new sculpture in Chepstow on the Welsh coastal path (Picture: Media Wales)

Two passer-bys stop to inspect the pebble-like structure (Picture: Media Wales)

Some argue it looks like a baked potato (Picture: Media Wales)

‘I’m beans and cheese but the husband would prefer tuna mayo,’ Emma Mee joked.

Lee Cook said: ‘We need more shops, not rocks or spuds wrapped in tin foil.’

Wayne Cooper mused: ‘How much did this cost?’

Monmouthshire County Council confirmed the structure cost £6,000 to commission.

A spokeswoman for the council said: ‘The funding for the Wales coast path improvements was part of the Welsh Government access improvement grant, for Monmouthshire County Council and Flintshire County Council.

‘The artwork cost £6,000 and was commissioned and paid for by Flintshire County Council. Monmouthshire County Council paid £6,000 out of its access improvement grant to Flintshire County Council for this purpose.’

Locals in Chepstow, Wales had kept their eyes peeled for the new addition on a popular coastal path.