The Grecian Temple’s original figure by Victorian sculptor William Theed, was stolen in October 2006, and has never been traced.
It was a quiz question about the theft in the Friends of Dunorlan Park (FoDP) newsletter that gave Hellis Hill and her husband Mike the idea of donating their own statue, which had been suffering from pollution in their London garden.
Mrs Hill already had reason to be grateful to Dunorlan Park for giving her father, David Molloy, a purpose and a community after he moved to Tunbridge Wells from Devon about six years ago.
“He soon became one of the Friends of Dunorlan,” she told the Times. “He instigated the feeding of the wildlife. This has rather become his raison d’être, and he goes to the park most days. During the lockdown, when the café was shut, he would still go out and bucket-feed. He’s very concerned the wildlife don’t get fed bread.
“I’ve seen how fundamental the role he’s made for himself has been for him – after moving across the country (from Devon) in his late 80s. He’s now a nonagenarian!”
Mrs Hill and her husband contacted FoDP to offer their sculpture, which had come to them from Mr Hill’s father, who had also been a resident of Devon.
“We don’t know how old she is. She came from my father-in-law, and we’ve had her 30 years. She might be Victorian.
“But she wasn’t doing very well in the London air. All the upper surfaces of her are starting to erode,” Mrs Hill added.
The Royal Tunbridge Wells Round Table helped with transport and positioning the new sculpture over the May Bank holiday.
“We never gave her a name, but she definitely does need one that would suit her new heritage,” said Mrs Hill.
The new statue can be seen in the Grecian Temple in Dunorlan Park.
