Jute eagle land?

Site owner Eagle Mill Capital lodged £8 million plans to turn the B-listed building into 34 flats, a nursery, business units and vertical plant farm.

Another grandiose statue that vanished was the exotic camel and rider modelled on Lawrence of Arabia which topped the gate of Gilroy Brothers’ Bowbridge Works.

Jute Industries Ltd wanted to keep the camel but was advised it was very doubtful it would be possible to dismantle it sufficiently for it to used again.

The sculpture was dumped unceremoniously in a hole dug out for a new weighbridge.

The camel was in one piece when it went in, unlike the rider. As for the Eagle’s eagle?

Might that mystery also one day be put to rest?

The interior of the Eagle Mills in Lyon Street. Picture by Kim Cessford.