St Richard's statue in Vines Park gets special makeover

St Richard's statue is a historically important statue situated in the centre of Vines Park and has been looking a little under the weather over recent years. 

The statue became dirty from lichen and air pollution as well as having St Richard missing his fingers, nose, thumbs and staff.

The statue was first installed in its spot in Vines Park in 1935.

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A spokesperson from Wychavon Parks said: "The historically important statue situated in the centre of our award-winning Vines Park is looking better than ever!

"The expert team at Stonemasons Of Worcester Ltd have removed years' worth of lichen, dirt and pollution damage as well as repairing his fingers, nose, thumbs and staff.

"If you are passing through Vines Park this Easter, be sure to stop by and take a look."

St Richards statue in Vines Park has been restored to its former glory. (Image: Wychavon Parks)

The Stonemasons Of Worcester Ltd have been behind the St Richard's makeover.

According to the Droitwich Spa Heritage Centre, Richard de Wyche is one of the most famous “sons of Droitwich” and was a respected scholar, a revered archbishop and ultimately a saint.

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The centre said at some point between 1247 and 1249, the salters of Droitwich appealed to their famous son for help after the brine springs dried up and subsequently St Richard's blessings made them flow again.

In previous years, the statue has been subjected to multiple spats of vandalism.

In March 2015, a finger was snapped off one of the saint's hands which cost Wychavon council £400 at the time to fix.

A few months later the top section of the saint’s staff was broken off, leading the Wychavon council to decide not to mend sections of the broken statue.

The statue since has lost fingers, thumbs and a nose and became faded.