The statue of Queen Anne at Holmhurst St Mary
The original statue of Queen Anne was unveiled in London outside St Paul's Cathedral on 7th July 1713. The sculpture was Francis Bird assisted by Christopher Wren and was commissioned by the committee of St Pauls Church.
Queen Anne and the allegorical figures are made from Carrara marble. The four figures around the base represent England, France, Ireland & North American Colonies.
Over 173 years the original statue had become damaged and it was replaced by the replica that is outside St Pauls cathedral now.
The remains of the original statue were discovered by Augustus J C Hare who was given permission to save the statue from destruction. Twenty-eight horses, four trucks, four trolleys, and sixteen men were used to transport the remains where it was erected on the grounds of Holmhurst St Mary where it began to deteriorate.
After several years of neglect and vandalism, the Grade ll* statue was placed on the Buildings at Risk register.
The photographs below show the replica outside St Pauls Cathedral London
www.publicsculpturesofsussex.co.uk/object?id=113
Queen Anne and the allegorical figures are made from Carrara marble. The four figures around the base represent England, France, Ireland & North American Colonies.
Over 173 years the original statue had become damaged and it was replaced by the replica that is outside St Pauls cathedral now.
The remains of the original statue were discovered by Augustus J C Hare who was given permission to save the statue from destruction. Twenty-eight horses, four trucks, four trolleys, and sixteen men were used to transport the remains where it was erected on the grounds of Holmhurst St Mary where it began to deteriorate.
After several years of neglect and vandalism, the Grade ll* statue was placed on the Buildings at Risk register.
The photographs below show the replica outside St Pauls Cathedral London
www.publicsculpturesofsussex.co.uk/object?id=113
The condition of Queen Anne at Holmhurst before restoration work commences can be seen below. The information reproduced below from the buildings at risk register confirms the current situation.
Statue of Queen Anne southeast of Holmhurst St Mary's School, The Ridge, Baldslow - Hastings
"Statue, 1711-12 in grounds of the former convent (now sold separately). Longstanding lack of regular maintenance meant it was deteriorating rapidly through rainwater from overhanging trees and saline rain from the sea. It has also been recently subject to heritage crime but has now been made secure. An application for residential development that would secure the repair of the statue and improve its setting has now been granted by the Local Planning Authority. The developer has committed to carrying out repairs through a S106 Agreement.
The photographs below over a period of several years show the deterioration and include a period when the site was encased in corrugated security fencing."
Statue of Queen Anne southeast of Holmhurst St Mary's School, The Ridge, Baldslow - Hastings
"Statue, 1711-12 in grounds of the former convent (now sold separately). Longstanding lack of regular maintenance meant it was deteriorating rapidly through rainwater from overhanging trees and saline rain from the sea. It has also been recently subject to heritage crime but has now been made secure. An application for residential development that would secure the repair of the statue and improve its setting has now been granted by the Local Planning Authority. The developer has committed to carrying out repairs through a S106 Agreement.
The photographs below over a period of several years show the deterioration and include a period when the site was encased in corrugated security fencing."
That the Development Manager be authorized to issue planning permission upon completion of an agreement under S106 of the Town and Country Planning Act to secure: 6. The repair and restoration of the Statue of Queen Anne - a Grade II* Listed Buildings
Section 1 Page 28
4 Repair & Restoration of the statue.
4.1 No development to commence until a timetable and long-term maintenance and management have been submitted and approved.
4.2 Work in accordance with HS/LB/15/00247.
The Arts & Cultural Development Officer has raised no objection and welcomes the proposals for the statue of Queen Anne. He recommends that the statue become a public feature for all to enjoy.
The photographs below were taken in March 2024 that reveal the wooden fence surrounding the statue but it appears that there has been little work to repair and repair and restore it as described in the Condition & Recommendation document held on the HBC planning portal.
Section 1 Page 28
4 Repair & Restoration of the statue.
4.1 No development to commence until a timetable and long-term maintenance and management have been submitted and approved.
4.2 Work in accordance with HS/LB/15/00247.
The Arts & Cultural Development Officer has raised no objection and welcomes the proposals for the statue of Queen Anne. He recommends that the statue become a public feature for all to enjoy.
The photographs below were taken in March 2024 that reveal the wooden fence surrounding the statue but it appears that there has been little work to repair and repair and restore it as described in the Condition & Recommendation document held on the HBC planning portal.
The condition and recommendation PDF document can be viewed on the HBC Planning portal.