Big facelift for park statues

7.34.30pm GMT Sat 27th Jan 2007

Park statues are being given a new lease of life under a renovation drive launched by Richmond Council.

Four statues - in York House Gardens, Twickenham; Terrace Gardens in Richmond; and Grove Gardens in Teddington, are set for a big facelift, which is due to be completed before the summer.

A £40,000 budget is earmarked for the work, which is all part of the Council's rolling improvement programme for the borough's parks and open spaces.

Two statues in Terrace Gardens, Old Father Thames & Aphrodite, one in Grove Gardens, Diana the Huntress, and the Cascade Statues in York House Gardens, are set for the work.

Cllr Martin Elengorn, Cabinet Member for Environment, said:

"All these statues have suffered deterioration due to the weather and, in some cases, vandalism.

"We are determined to restore them to their former glory and specialist contractors have been hired to carry out this painstaking repair work, which is due to be finished by the end of May.

"We are discussing ways of strengthening security at these and other borough statues as part of our efforts to protect this important heritage. "

Concerning the Cascade Statues, the Council is appealing for old photographs or film showing what they were like when they were in good condition to assist the restoration work.

Anyone with such photos should contact Gaye Galvin, in the Council's Parks and Open Spaces Department, on 020 8891 7496. For further media information please call Ivor Jones on 0208 891 7136