Top concepts for brand spanking new banknote design revealed: From Paddington Bear to 1966 World Cup | EUROtoday

Sir David Attenborough, Paddington Bear and Sir Winston Churchill have emerged among the many hottest public ideas for brand spanking new banknote designs.

The ideas have been revealed as a part of a freedom of knowledge request, which was submitted after the brand new wildlife theme introduced by the Bank of England was criticised by Reform UK chief Nigel Farage as being “woke”.

Sir Winston, who at the moment options on the £5 be aware, was the fourth mostly prompt concept.

Meanwhile, Sir David, the esteemed broadcaster and environmental advocate, who is because of have a good time his a hundredth birthday subsequent month, additionally featured prominently among the many high submissions.

More than 1,000 concepts have been associated to the wildlife theme, making it the most well-liked subject.

Paddington Bear, information canines and the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree, which was illegally felled in September 2023, have been additionally among the many public’s favourites.

Other ideas included the 1966 World Cup, the NHS, and castles and cathedrals.

Reacting to the announcement final month that the notes will function wildlife, Mr Farage mentioned that changing Sir Winston with “a picture of a beaver” is the “definition of woke”.

He mentioned in a video posted on X: “This is how PC mad and looney everyone’s gone, including the Bank of England. I think it’s absolutely crackers.”

Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch mentioned final month that changing figures together with Sir Winston is “erasing our history”.

She mentioned: “If anything, I think that they should be putting more historical figures on banknotes. I would quite like to see Margaret Thatcher on a banknote. I think she was Britain’s greatest peacetime prime minister.

“Changing the pictures to put wild animals on them is a silly thing to do. I absolutely do not support it.”

The Bank of England invited folks to submit their very own theme concepts in July final yr.

The Bank additionally requested the general public to pick out themes in the course of the session interval, which noticed over 44,000 responses, from a listing of six choices, together with nature, structure and landmarks, notable historic figures, arts, tradition and sport, innovation, and noteworthy milestones.

Nature was the highest theme with 60 per cent of respondents selecting it as considered one of their most well-liked subjects.

Another session will happen this summer season to resolve what wildlife shall be placed on the banknotes.

The present notes function both the portrait of the King or the late Queen Elizabeth II, with Sir Winston on the reverse of the £5 be aware, Jane Austen on the £10, JMW Turner on the £20, and Alan Turing on the £50.

Victoria Cleland, chief cashier on the Bank of England, mentioned: “I was delighted by the level of public engagement during our banknote theme consultation last year. The response underlines how important banknotes remain to people.

“The key driver for introducing a new banknote series is always to increase counterfeit resilience but it also provides an opportunity to celebrate different aspects of the UK.

“Nature is a great choice from a banknote authentication perspective and means we can showcase the UK’s rich and varied wildlife on the next series of banknotes.”

Here are the 28 mostly talked about themes from the general public session so as of recognition: