Stonemasons from Blackburn repair vandalised statue

4:19pm Friday 25th January 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Dan Clough, Reporter

Brent Stevenson with Flora Brent Stevenson with Flora

STONEMASONS in Blackburn are creating a new leg for a much-loved statue that was damaged by vandals.

Flora, in Corporation Park, was broken in September when vandals smashed off the right leg in an overnight attack.

Workers at Brent Stevenson Memorials in Blackburn have now inserted a piece of stone where the missing leg should be and have begun carving to make the shape of the leg.

Blackburn with Darwen Council requested the work be carried out, which will cost almost £3,000.

To ensure the leg is the right shape, workmen will refer to old photographs.

The statue was removed by the firm in December and was allowed to dry out before work began.

Brent Stevenson, owner of the family firm in Preston Old Road, said: “The work will take a couple of mon-ths but we don’t know exactly how long it will take.

“We just do a couple of hours at a time and then take a break and come back and look at it again.

“It isn’t the only job we have over the next two months so it will take time.”

“It is never ideal to work like this as the original piece was carved entirely from one big piece of material.

“But we will get it looking as close to the original as possible.”

Mr Stevenson said; “Flora has been through the wars a bit over the years. She has had her head knocked off a couple of times and various other body parts damaged.

“We will check all the other joints as well and clean her up as good as we can before putting her back.”

Flora was presented to the park in 1871 by well-known monumental mason Thomas Harvey Fairhurst.

She was created by artist Thomas Allen, who moved to Blackburn in 1870 and provided several pieces of art.”

Comments (7)

4:31pm Fri 25 Jan 13

juanbbien says...

Senseless damage done by some brain dead idiots that as cost the Blackburn tax payers three thousand pounds That could have been put to better use,but hey we will keep sh!ting on our own doorstep,till the town is beyond repair
Senseless damage done by some brain dead idiots that as cost the Blackburn tax payers three thousand pounds That could have been put to better use,but hey we will keep sh!ting on our own doorstep,till the town is beyond repair juanbbien

4:36pm Fri 25 Jan 13

buckoff says...

I would love to get hold of the lowlife scum that get kicks out of trashing everything they get there grubby hands on. Time we brought back the stocks that would teach them. There homes must be scruffy dirty hovels to think its ok to do this.
I would love to get hold of the lowlife scum that get kicks out of trashing everything they get there grubby hands on. Time we brought back the stocks that would teach them. There homes must be scruffy dirty hovels to think its ok to do this. buckoff

4:58pm Fri 25 Jan 13

woolywords says...

When I lived on Dukes Brow, I used to go home through Corporation Park and often thought how rightly she was placed, with Lichens growing on her and rabbits grazing around her, in that little woodland glade.
Whilst I appreciate that, in order to keep costs down, she is only worked upon, now and again, is there any chance that these works can be completed by April 28th or as late as, May 3rd? I only ask because according to the old way, her celebrations are at that time and it would be rather nice to have, the eternal rebirth of Spring and her appearance at the same time, do you not think?
When I lived on Dukes Brow, I used to go home through Corporation Park and often thought how rightly she was placed, with Lichens growing on her and rabbits grazing around her, in that little woodland glade. Whilst I appreciate that, in order to keep costs down, she is only worked upon, now and again, is there any chance that these works can be completed by April 28th or as late as, May 3rd? I only ask because according to the old way, her celebrations are at that time and it would be rather nice to have, the eternal rebirth of Spring and her appearance at the same time, do you not think? woolywords

5:34pm Fri 25 Jan 13

woolywords says...

On the subject of the damage, let me say this. Those whom did it have no idea of it's, Flora the Goddess', importance of how things work in Nature. Their desecration, last year, could, if one was minded to think that way, be attributible to this years delay in Spring. There is a certain irony in that, the Masons aren't rushing the job and snow falls heavily on Blackburn, within the hour of that news.
If one had a pre-Christian belief system, you would easily be inclinded towards an idea of, revenge of the Gods.
Let the Old Gods decide whom will suffer most because of this type of weather, let them learn not to offend the old ways.
No taxis, no kebabs, no pizzas and no curries delivered.
I willing to bet that more than the mere sum of £3000 has been repayed in full measure damages to that tribe, before Flora is restored to her rightful place.
On the subject of the damage, let me say this. Those whom did it have no idea of it's, Flora the Goddess', importance of how things work in Nature. Their desecration, last year, could, if one was minded to think that way, be attributible to this years delay in Spring. There is a certain irony in that, the Masons aren't rushing the job and snow falls heavily on Blackburn, within the hour of that news. If one had a pre-Christian belief system, you would easily be inclinded towards an idea of, revenge of the Gods. Let the Old Gods decide whom will suffer most because of this type of weather, let them learn not to offend the old ways. No taxis, no kebabs, no pizzas and no curries delivered. I willing to bet that more than the mere sum of £3000 has been repayed in full measure damages to that tribe, before Flora is restored to her rightful place. woolywords

7:04pm Fri 25 Jan 13

Carl_24 says...

Nice to know my Great Great Grandad's statue is being fixed. :)
Maybe now the owners of Corporation Park will put CCTV cameras near by to keep an eye on it once it's been put back.
Nice to know my Great Great Grandad's statue is being fixed. :) Maybe now the owners of Corporation Park will put CCTV cameras near by to keep an eye on it once it's been put back. Carl_24

7:47pm Fri 25 Jan 13

GrindletonBob says...

Shame that Corporation Park will eventually end up with more CCTV cameras than a maximum security prison in an attempt to stop these scum ruining the place. With all the excellent restoration work done, it should be looking as good as when it first opened, but back then the Police could give lowlife a beating and the Courts could issue proper sentences.
Shame that Corporation Park will eventually end up with more CCTV cameras than a maximum security prison in an attempt to stop these scum ruining the place. With all the excellent restoration work done, it should be looking as good as when it first opened, but back then the Police could give lowlife a beating and the Courts could issue proper sentences. GrindletonBob

3:58pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Carl_J_S says...

Carl_24 wrote:
Nice to know my Great Great Grandad's statue is being fixed. :)
Maybe now the owners of Corporation Park will put CCTV cameras near by to keep an eye on it once it's been put back.
Carl_24 we must be related, my Great Great Grandad too!!
[quote][p][bold]Carl_24[/bold] wrote: Nice to know my Great Great Grandad's statue is being fixed. :) Maybe now the owners of Corporation Park will put CCTV cameras near by to keep an eye on it once it's been put back.[/p][/quote]Carl_24 we must be related, my Great Great Grandad too!! Carl_J_S

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