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Former site of Banksy piece Art Buff in Payers Park, Folkestone, targeted with a graffiti tag again as MP Damian Collins gains support

By: Matt Leclere mleclere@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 11:00, 10 November 2014

The site where Kent's Banksy once stood proud in Folkestone has been splashed with graffiti again.

Emotions have been running high in the town since the piece on the back of an amusement arcade in Payers Park was removed by the building's owners last weekend to be sold at auction.

It is the second time in days that the location has been tagged after a message attacking the owners was daubed on the wall on Wednesday.

Another graffiti tag on the site of the former Banksy artwork in Folkestone

This time the writing "Banksy woz ere?" appeared on Saturday evening.

The tongue-in-cheek addition follows the news last week that the piece could be sold in the US as early as next month with an expected price of around £500,000.

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Campaigners are launching an appeal to get the piece back in Folkestone with many arguing the piece was given to the community and not for the benefit of a single person.

The Godden family, who own the arcade, have said they intend to donate proceeds from the sale, which is planned to be held in Miami next month, to a cancer charity in memory of Folkestone businessman Jimmy Godden who died two years ago.

The graffiti was sprayed in the void left by the removal of the Banksy. Picture: Michelle Goody

MP Damian Collins is leading the calls for the piece to be returned to the town and both the town and district councils have announced their support.

On Friday, arts minister Ed Vaizey gave his public support in parliament after Mr Collins asked for his backing.

Mr Vaizey said: "Sometimes it makes one wonder about the motivation of one’s fellow man that, when Banksy is prepared to be public spirited enough to create community artwork in public spaces for the benefit of the local population who take it to their hearts, somebody should seek to use that windfall because it happens to be on their private property.

"I very much hope it will be returned and donated to the community in Folkestone and Hythe, showing the same public-spirited approach that Roger De Haan has shown in supporting and regenerating Folkestone."

People flocked to see the new Banksy artwork in Folkestone

The 'woz ere' phrase is thought to have originated from American servicemen during the Second World War carving their names into rocks where they were stationed.

During the piece's time in situ, it was not without controversy and the artwork was graffitied twice.

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But art dealer Robin Barton, in charge of the sale, said the penis graffiti was probably the result of a second clandestine visit by Banksy.

He added the the Godden family, which owns the arcade, were "no longer prepared to carry the burden of protecting the work".

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