The Byron Society is on a mission to rescue one of London’s neglected and forgotten gems, the national Byron Memorial Statue, erected in 1880.

Its original garden setting on the edge of Hyde Park gave the memorial prominence and public access. Changes made to the Park Lane traffic layout mean the statue is now marooned on a traffic island.

At this stage in our campaign, we want to show that a wide community of lovers of poetry and literature support us so that we can confidently apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore and move the statue into Hyde Park proper.

Unseen and forgotten, it has deteriorated so much that it is now at risk and urgently needs to be restored and moved so it is preserved for future generations.

A new high profile location near Hyde Park’s Victoria Gate has been secured and we shall shortly be putting in a funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Some charitable trusts, like for instance HOLT, the Heritage of London Trust, are already supporting the project and and we are confident we can raise the estimated £380,000 necessary. If we don’t reach our target or the move cannot be completed for some unforeseen reason, the funds raised will be used for the restoration and future maintenance of the statue and plinth in its present location.

All donations count so please give what you can. We have set ourselves an ambitious target to raise £25,000 from the public. Please help us make this possible.

More information on the statue and the background to the campaign can be found on the Byron Society website.

https://www.thebyronsociety.com/rescuing-the-byron-memorial-statue/

Thank you!