Marble-ous Queen gets a posh wash!

June 13, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Marble-ous Queen gets a posh wash!

Tuesday 14th June 2016

Southend’s iconic statue of Queen Victoria on Clifftown Parade is set for a right royal spruce up.

From tomorrow, Wednesday 15th June, she will be dressed in a scaffolding overcoat ready to have a spa treatment fit for Britain’s second longest reigning monarch.

Staff from specialist firm, Basildon Stone, will use a super-heated low pressure wash system assisted by a heavy duty detergent to remove stubborn grease marks and ingrained grime, and restore her to royal mint condition.

This special statue was presented to Southend by the then Mayor, Bernard Wiltshire Tolhurst, to mark the Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee in 1897.

She was originally stationed at the top of Pier Hill, where cheeky residents joked that it looked as if she was pointing towards the Gents toilets.

In 1962 she was moved to her present location in Clifftown Parade.

Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism and the Economy, Councillor Ann Holland said: “Queen Victoria’s eye-catching statue is a commanding presence overlooking the seafront.

“She was such a significant historic figure it is important that her beautiful monument is properly maintained looking at its best for many generations to come.

“We have a continuing programme of cleaning and restoring monuments and war memorials in our parks.

“It is fitting that it is Queen Victoria’s turn to be perked up during the current joyful celebrations for the 90th birthday of our own Queen Elizabeth – who just this year overtook her earlier majesty’s longest-reigning record.”