We'll breathe life into Dying Gladiator statue
A DYING gladiator could be given a new life after Lincoln University staff offered to restore a crumbling Brigg statue.
The statue, depicting a dying gladiator, currently lies above the doorway of the now derelict Dying Gladiator Inn in Bigby Street.
Now Rachel Faulding, senior lecturer in conservation at Lincoln University and former Brigg resident, is offering the services of her department to restore the statue to its former glory.
Brigg Town councillor Penny Smith stumbled upon the renovation opportunity while out on a walk.
She said: "I was walking with Rachel's sister, who put me in touch with her at the university and we've taken it from there.
"We have two options as to whether to have the professionals at the university do the work, or allow the students at the university to renovate the statue for a lower price.
"We are hoping whoever takes over the building would like to look after the statue, although we do have other options.
"It would be great for Brigg to be able to keep in touch with its history and we're very encouraged by the amount of interest shown in saving the statue."
The statue was erected in 1863 and was sculpted by William Clark.
The artist found the inspiration for the statue after visiting the Dying Gaul statue in the Vatican museum.
The Dying Gladiator Inn, recorded as the only pub of that name in the UK, took on the ownership of what was initially known as The Stone Boy, when the property was converted from a private school to a public house.
If relocated, there have been suggestions the gladiator could be installed in the courtyard of The Angel Inn, also in Bigby Street.
Councillor Mike Campion said: "It's an integral part of Brigg. I've lived here for more than 20 years and it's been part of the furniture since well before I arrived.
"It is vital for our heritage that it is restored, although we may have to relocate the statue if the building changes purpose.
"As it stands the statue isn't safe, so there is no time like the present in securing the gladiator's future."
The Dying Gladiator Inn is currently a historic listed building, with Brigg Town Council campaigning to have the interior listing lifted, so new owners can renovate the property.
The statue is one of only three copies in the UK of The Dying Gaul, a Roman statue thought to have been commissioned around 230BC.
Other versions of the statue are housed at Cambridge University and at the Courtauld Gallery in London.
For the full story see today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.
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by peter, brigg
Thursday, October 01 2009, 3:24PM
“This will be the 2nd time work being done 2 the statue[2 my knowledge]the last time was when it's head broke off.”
by Quo Vadis, UK
Thursday, October 01 2009, 3:23PM
“John - bitter fool
Sally - bloodthirsty Viking - I bet you're so proud of their blanket pillaging and raping on a much bigger proportional scale than the Romans ever did!”
by John, winterton
Thursday, October 01 2009, 2:57PM
“It is said that there were over 60,000 Bleeding Romans that stayed when the Empire crumpled away. As it should. They deserved othing less. Maybe we should have persuaded the remaining 60,000 to leave to.”
by sally, Brumby
Thursday, October 01 2009, 2:54PM
“I havnt a heavy bridged nose. So I must have a Viking in me.Thank god.”
by Cousin iT, Hairville
Thursday, October 01 2009, 12:39PM
“Sally - don't you think you might actually be descended from those Romans from which you are so keen to distance yourself. It always amuses me that Brits are so proud to be 'British' when in fact we are a melting pot of Romans, Vikings and whatever else invaded us.”
by sally, Brumby
Thursday, October 01 2009, 11:00AM
“It might be argued that we did more harm to India when it became part of the British Empire.We stripped it of many of its innards. It might be argued that we did more harm to China when we sold them very large quantities of Opium which makes our drug problem look like a weekend in Cleethorpes compared to that. So Im not going to heap praise on the bleeding Romans just because of a few roads and a Viaduct.”
by Kings, my land
Thursday, October 01 2009, 10:43AM
“We were doing quite well before the Bleeding Romans came along alleging to civilise us. Yeah right-o.
This Isle that contained Scotland and Wales had its many Kings before the Bleeding Romans turned up knocking our door down. And like many countries around the world a dramatic vacume is created when rulers go walkies after they have descimated local rule for one of Roman control.”
by Dave, winterton Its monty Python time
Thursday, October 01 2009, 10:10AM
“Isnt it good to have a friendly difference of opinion about the bleeding Romans. I forgot that the Chinees had something to do with irigation and only history of invention is written by the victors. As for scissors. Evidence is not proof of it being Roman. Showers havnt been proven either especially with the amount of rain we get. As for the Roman calendar. It had to be re-corrected by the Romans till the Egyptions showed Caesar a better calculation. Thing is we will never know what might have been invented here if we werent on the recieving end of their broard sword. Which they didnt bring here to show how friendly they are. It was short and to the point.”
by Quo Vadis, UK
Thursday, October 01 2009, 9:53AM
“Sally, Dave et al.
How naive you are. The Romans civilized the lands of England & Wales - the initial conquest was bloody, that goes without saying but when the Romans left, this country was plunged into the Dark Ages - it was called that for a reason!
Next time you drive along a motorway, think of the Romans - they built the first pan-European network of roads, all conforming to standards (width, MILEstones). Ever been through a tunnel? Yes, a Roman invention.
- Water Pumps. Metered water supply - its only taken this country 2,000 years to return to a metered water supply!
- Cement & Concrete . Need I say more.
- Satire - if you guys have a sense of humour that is .... ;-)
- Calendar. The months of the year. (July - Julius Caesar, August - Emperor Augustus etc) - chances are you were born in a 'Roman' month! Hehe, how you feel about that?!?
- Population Census - now a worldwide norm.
- Underfloor heating
- Public Toilets - how civilized.
- Showers
- Scissors
- Stadiums - like sport? Next time you watch a football or rugby match think where the original stadium was built.
... and to finish off,
- Brides dressed in white. Who says romance is dead, eh?!
Sally - how Roman are you?!!? hehe”
by Dave, winterton
Thursday, October 01 2009, 8:19AM
“It was the Egyptians that corrected the Romans about the Calendar. The Romans didnt invent the Jet engine, it was Whttle. In fact many of the things you have suggested were previously Greek Jewish Persian and Egyption. The bleeding Romans capitalised on many of these things in the name of destroying other countries cultures and steal their gold, as in Spain and Coal from the Geordies.”