Friday, November 22, 2013

Historic statues stolen from Godinton House garden


Two historic lead statues worth £30,000 have been stolen from the garden at Godinton House in Kent, triggering fears they will be melted down and sold as scrap.
The two statues, which depict a nude dancing man and a female muse, were taken by thieves on Monday night. A tenant on the ancient estate, near Ashford, discovered the theft the next morning.
The oldest statues in the garden, the pair have stood in the grounds since the late 19th century and are valued at around £30,000.
The trail left by the intruders suggests that the figurines were taken away in a trolley, which was wheeled across the grounds and lifted over fences – one of which is now slightly broken.
Nick Sandford, the estate manager at Godinton, said, “This charming pair of lead figures date back to the 18th century and have been at Godinton for at least 100 years. They form the focal point at the end of the Tennis Lawn.

(Reproduced from telegraph.co.uk  22nd Nov)

Gardien Comment: No matter the distance from buildings, items of value need some protection. If possible, electricity should be run to the vicinity and a CCTV system installed - if not a Solar security light should be installed in the area as this alone may be sufficient to scare off thieves.

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