Vandals break Skegness Stone Lion Statue
Source: Skegness Standard 2nd April and 14th May 1982
Photos: Lincolnshire Standard Group (Skegness) and Ben Hardaker
Stone Lion Statue Vandalized
This news article tells us that the stone lion statue which stood outside the Lion Hotel, Roman Bank, Skegness had been broken by vandals. The owner of the hotel, Tom Morley found the statue lying on the pavement in pieces. One paw only remained attached to the plinth. Mr Morley said that the vandals picked it up and dropped it. He said he didn’t think it was repairable and was a ‘write-off’.
About six weeks after this story was printed, a follow-up article revealed that the lion statue had been repaired. This work was undertaken by Cliff Williamson of the Skegness Training Workshop, with the help of seven lads from the workshop.The team had used four steel pins and the latest epoxy resin to rebuild the legs.
The Lion Statue went missing in 1997 and a campaign ran on the internet and in the Skegness Target Newspaper appealing for the return of the statue to its rightful home in Skegness. Cliff Williamson who restored the lion, as told in the news story above, contacted the Skegness Target after reading about the campaign.
This is what he says: RETURN OF LION HOPES ‘CRUMBLE’ – November 7
The Skegness Lion was vandalised by out of town yobs in the early 1980s and was so badly damaged it was given up and was about to be scrapped. We, the building department of the Skegness youth opportunity’s scheme, together with Sid Dennis transported it to our workshop and rebuilt it as a project to give the lads some hands on input into the town’s history. We put it back on it’s legs with steel re-enforcing bars and reshaped it with epoxy mortar and resin, we then transported it back to its position on the pavement outside the Lion Hotel to resume it’s position in Skegness’ history. Because it was scrapped and myself and the lads of Skegness restored it I believe it belongs to the people of Skegness. Cliff Williamson Great Steeping
The Lion Pub Lion was a symbol that grew to be known and discussed throughout the country although rarely (if ever!?) used for publicity and was notable missed by many, especially the children and adults who had grown with it (not literally). It was also one of the first icon you came accross when leaving the train station heading into lumley road. However due to it not being a media icon was removed and never replaced. A great shame and quite obviously missed by many. Bring back the lion!