Work has begun to raise the money needed to restore the Red Lion statue in the High Street. Earlier this year several hundred readers of the Bucks Free Press signed a petition calling for the feature to be repaired, and members of the High Wycombe Society showed their support when asked at their AGM.
The High Wycombe Society has now joined forces with the Bucks Free Press who are leading the campaign to raise a total of £11,000 needed to repair the statue and put a programme in place for appropriate ongoing regular maintenance.
Over the past year, the need for restoration work has become increasingly apparent.
The High Wycombe Society first raised the alarm when the tail dropped off at the end of 2013 and again at the end of 2015 when the temporary repair proved to be inadequate.
Since then, large areas of the paintwork have become flaky revealing rotten wood where water has been allowed to get in. It will take many hours of skilled work to restore.
On 2nd August 2016 the lion was removed from its portico for expert assessment. Taking part in the operation were three grandsons of Frank Hudson, the master carver who created the statue in the mid-1950s. Its predecessor of uncertain age by an unknown carver can be seen at Wycombe Museum. Pictured here just after the successful removal of the current lion from its portico are (left to right): Colin Mantripp, Tim Hudson and George Mantripp.
Over the coming weeks members of the High Wycombe Society and non-members will have many opportunities to donate to the cause. A bank account has been set up to receive donations. Cheques should be made payable to “High Wycombe Society – Red Lion Account”. Alternatively you can make a donation via the crowdfunding page set up by the Bucks Free Press at:
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/save-wycombe-redlion
We would be grateful for any donations, large or small.