THE STATUE of George Palmer in Palmer Park has been restored to its former glory after receiving a deep clean.
Reading Borough Council sought to tidy up the statue in anticipation of new swimming facilities due to open at the park soon.
The statue of George Palmer has been in place since 1930, showing signs of weather wear and residue, so the council enlisted experts, Daouda, Imhammad, and Wojciech from M A Polishing, to clean it.
They cleaned off the dirt which had accumulated using high-pressure steam cleaning and use gel-cleaning to reduce signs of erosion.
The surface of the statue was then harmonised and patinated to give it a fresh, dark bronze appearance, and finally coated with crystalline wax and buffed.
It will form part of a new pedestrian area around the sports centre currently situated there, which will also include a new 25 metre swimming pool, a 100-station gym, a cafe, and an activity zone for children.
The existing building is also being refurbished, with recent photographs confirming the replacement of the roof, complete with solar panels and heat pumps.
Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward, Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture, said: “I’m delighted to see such an iconic Reading landmark gleaming again.
“Thanks to our expert statue cleaners for restoring this statue to its former glory, which is particularly important for us in the run-up to the completion of the new facilities.
“It is also timely as the world-renowned biscuit makers, Huntley & Palmers, marks its 200-year anniversary.”
Cllr Barnett-Ward said also that the statue refreshed and the progress at the Palmer Park site, “heralds the new era for leisure in Reading.”
“Very soon, Reading will boast a brand new 25m 6-lane community pool at Palmer Park, linked to existing sports facilities – combining the benefits of a sizable pool, velodrome and athletics stadium all in one accessible location – delivering a fairly unique facility in the region and putting Reading firmly on the map as a top sports destination.”
The statue depicts George Palmer, who famously partnered with Thomas Huntley to form Reading’s integral biscuit factory, Huntley & Palmers, and was the first in Britain to include an umbrella.
It was designed and created by George Blackall Simonds, who also created Reading’s most famous statues, the Maiwand Lion in Forbury Gardens, and the statue of Queen Victoria outside the Town Hall.
