We are not amused by the state of our statue
£15,000 appeal launched to rejuvenate Queen Victoria statue
A fundraising appeal has been launched to restore Scarborough’s Queen Victoria statue in the Town Hall gardens.
Now green and in a poor condition, more than 110 years have passed since the Queen Victoria statue, in St Nicholas Street, was put in place in 1903. Weathered against the harsh costal climate, it had remained untouched.
An appeal was launched on Thursday October 8 to raise £15,000 to have the bronze statue completely renovated.
The Civic Society will make a significant contribution to the project but have also decided to call on local residents and business, passionate about improving a historic work of art, to help raise the total.
Adrian Perry, Scarborough Civic Society, said: “The Victorian era is a very important time for Scarborough. That was the time tourism really opened up for the town.
“When it was unveiled in 1903 we were just on the cusp of being a much larger town.”
The statue originally cost £600 which in today’s money is approximately £65,000.
It is one of seven original bronze statues by English sculptor Charles Bell Birch, which stand around the world as far as Australia and India.
One of the Grade II statues, which is in Newcastle-under-Lyme, has been successfully renovated recently and inspired the new appeal.
Mr Perry said: “They have done a marvellous job of restoring their statue and she [Queen Victoria] deserves it.”
The council is giving “in kind” resources to help raise awareness of the appeal and will take a lead role in overseeing the project.
Together they are in the process of discussing and viewing demonstrations of which technique to use to renovate and rejuvenate, including a new and innovative approach by Escobar Bronze.
Cllr Andrew Jenkinson, championing the appeal, said: “While it’s still early days and a decision hasn’t been taken on which technique will be best for the Scarborough statue, we are very keen to ensure we explore all options available to us. I would like to hope that this time next year that we have unveiled her smart and clean because we are not amused by her being like this.”
Fundraising events are being planned to reach the sum.
Donations to the appeal can be made online at www. scarboroughcivicsociety.org. uk or by sending a cheque to Scarborough Civic Society at PO Box 151, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO12 4YJ.