Take a tour of 13 Statues in 30 minutes
April 2012
Visitors to Bath & North East Somerset
Council’s Pump Room in Bath can enjoy a fascinating tour of the
attraction’s collection of historic statues on Monday 23 April.
The collection features a bust of Charles
Dickens, donated to Bath in 1905 by the author’s friend and
student, Percy Fitzgerald, who stated: “No-one living can recall
the details of Dickens’ fine features so well as myself for the
reason that I have modelled it in clay over and over again.”
This is one of 13 statues in the Pump Room
complex which over the last six years have all received
conservation treatment as part of a programme of care carried out
by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Councillor Cherry Beath (Lib-Dem, Combe Down),
Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “Bath & North
East Somerset Council is proud to maintain this collection of
fabulous statues for all our residents and visitors to appreciate
and enjoy. The pain-staking conservation work which has been
commissioned by the Council’s Heritage Services team will help to
ensure that people can continue to delight in these wonderful
exhibits for many more years to come.”
Other sculptures include a representation of
the Angel of Bethesda by John Warrington Wood which was originally
placed next to the Pump Room water fountain in 1889 and a full
length sculpture of Beau Nash which has been on display in the Pump
Room since 1752.
Each has its own story to tell and on St
George’s Day – Monday 23 April at 12noon – Stephen Clews, the
Manager of the Roman Baths and Pump Room, will be leading a free
half hour tour of the Pump Room sculptures.
Anyone wishing to join the tour should go to
the Pump Room’s Stall Street reception point for 12noon. To reserve
a place telephone the Roman Baths office on 01225 477779.