Concern over cost of repairs to vandalised Bath lions
Organisers of a public art project which will eventually see 100 model lions on the streets of Bath are concerned that money which should be going to charity is instead being spent on repairing vandalism to the sculptures.
Concerns from organisers of the Lions of Bath project have intensified following the latest incident, which saw the Lions of Communication model in the Circus badly damaged.
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Two people were arrested at the scene after they were seen trying to uproot the lion, which is sponsored by online publisher From You to Me and anchored to the ground.
The pair were released the following morning with a caution - but not ordered to pay anything towards the hundreds of pounds of repair costs.
Project organiser Sue Yates-Price said she was frustrated that the vandals had not been ordered to pay any compensation and the repair costs would have to be deducted from the proceeds of a charity auction at the end of the public art scheme.
She said: “We don’t know how we’re going to pay for the damage if they are just let off with a caution.
“The artists have spent lots of time decorating the models so it is really frustrating for everyone.”
Co-organiser Megan Witty said the model, one of 10 which have now fallen victim to vandalism, may even be beyond repair.
She said: “They were caught in the act and released with a caution, which is a bit disappointing.
“It was all twisted out of shape and there was a big crack in his head.
“The artist is not yet sure if he will be able to repair it as he doesn’t want to put something back which wasn’t as good as it was originally.
“We are getting expert advice in to see if we can restore him to his former glory.”
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: “It is the way of the system.
“If someone has no previous convictions then they are arrested for something like this they will be cautioned.
“Police have the job of issuing the caution, although it is not very satisfactory for the victim.”
Specialist architectural salvage firm MASCo at Walcot, which has its own lion, has given organisers a workshop in which to repair the models.
Mrs Witty said: “We are extremely grateful. They have been hugely supportive of the project.”
Meanwhile Bath Abbey has offered to provide a sanctuary for one of the models, after it was vandalised recently.
Wayne Roarney, which is positioned in Abbey Church Yard and sponsored by Bath and Country Holidays, will be taken into the historic building overnight to prevent any further damage.
Maps which will enable residents and visitors to be able to locate each lion, will also soon be available from the Lions of Bath shop in Milsom Place as well as the Tourist Information Centre.
Money from the auction will go to three local charities.
Meanwhile a sculpture of three footballers has been installed in Bath as a preview to an Olympics-themed public art project.
The Beautiful Game, which has been placed on the grass in front of the Royal Crescent, is the work of local artist Dick Daniel and has been created to coincide with the World Cup.
It is an early prototype of just one of the styles of sport themed sculptures which a number of local artists will produce and which will be installed all over the city during the summer of 2012 by public art organisers Art at the Edge.
The project has been organised by Justin Braithwaite, Alan Dun, Dick Daniel and Jane Callan, who were all involved in the successful King Bladud’s Pigs Project two years ago.
Art at the Edge has also commissioned 29 British sculptors to create their own interpretations of an Olympic or Paralympic sport.
These studies will be cast in bronze and will also form part of this public art project. All sculptures will be sold to raise money for disadvantaged and disabled young people.
For more information go to www.lionsofbath.com and www.artattheedge.org.
10 Comments
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by BlackLion, Bath
Thursday, June 17 2010, 11:01PM
“Given that Bath was once a medaeval city, it's tempting to suggest 100 lions are joined by one installation of brightly coloured stocks.
That would be totally unacceptable in practice, because in medaeval times use of the stocks often ended in life-changing injury. Effectively they were a device that could be used to torture.
However, the message shouldn't go out that there's only an automatic caution and anonymity granted for this crime.
Surely the sponsor or owner of a lion could bring a private prosecution to recover the costs of the damage. Given that the police have the identity of the offenders and there was sufficient evidence for a caution, if I was one of the very few people who see fit to vandalise charitable works, I'd be keeping my nose squeaky clean for the time being and hope this blows over.
And if I was a friend to one of these peoople and I realised the lion vandal hadn't worked this out for themselves, I'd sit them down and explain it to them.”
by Geoff, Bath
Thursday, June 17 2010, 1:08PM
“It would be nice to know whether these vandels were students as was initially claimed by Megan Witty. You could do that and still retain anominity.”
by Christine, outside Bath
Thursday, June 17 2010, 10:20AM
“"Why can't their identities be anonymously released. If they are that brazen to commit the act then they are likely to boast about it too. So no one would ever be able to prove that it was leaked from an official source."
Danny, I can sense your frustration but this would only make it worse. The type of vandals who damage the lions won't care if they are 'named and shamed' just as they don't care about asbos ... if anything they will be proud of being featured on a wall of shame and it might make the lions even more vulnerable. There is a whole section of the public who have no respect in any way for authority and take great delight in 'expressing' this. My feeling now is that it is too late to save the lions as damaging them is putting a feather in the cap of those who destroy them. And us voicing our 'disgust' makes them even more determined to annoy us.”
by danny, Boorish barf
Wednesday, June 16 2010, 11:36PM
“This is so depressing. The sculptures gain in popularity by their access, with ground level ripe for posing with the lions and for children to interact.
Placing the sculptures out of reach would reduce their impact - though with one pushed off the Fudge shop roof, it seems that even elevating them won't prove any safer!
Have just done a web search to find out how the 260 sculptured elephants placed in London, since early May, have fared. Cannot find a single account of any vandalism except when one was damaged during the concurrent expo in Emmen, Netherlands.....and even then just one!
Bath has TEN damaged in just a week?
So in the huge area of the capital city; with all its reports of knife crime etc. public art is treated better than a much smaller - and therefore easier to POLICE - area as Bath?
That the latest culprits cannot be charged or even be named is outrageous. What deterrent for any other lazy, yobbish type copying the behaviour of those vile two vandals.
What are they and their family doing to make amends? A charity must lose revenue whilst the proven wreckers fail to offer ANY compensation.
Why can't their identities be anonymously released. If they are that brazen to commit the act then they are likely to boast about it too. So no one would ever be able to prove that it was leaked from an official source.
This city needs to show some pride; like a lion. FIGHT BACK!”
by Christine, outside Bath
Wednesday, June 16 2010, 9:44PM
“It is very sad but I think this project should now be abandoned. Clearly if the money raised to be given to charity is used to pay for repairs then the project has failed (through no fault of its own). Also the outcry over the damage has probably made the lions MORE attractive targets now for vandals who know how upset their actions make us. Last week we were angry about 9 lions vandalised now it is 10 and clearly the police can offer no deterent - and when do they ever? My suggestion is that this is abandoned now before it becomes too costly and before it becomes a very blighted memory for Bath. Putting these gorgeous statues outside was perhaps too good an idea and too tempting for those who enjoy ruining things. Sell their images as postcods or on mugs and try to raise a little that way and maybe place some of them indoors where they can be - the covered market, inside the Assembley Rooms, etc but don't allow any to be anywhere that makes them vulnerable even it means have far far fewer.”