|
The Blanchard Planter
St. Mary’s Square
You will probably have read in the Press that this fine and imposing feature of St. Mary’s S quare is now in a fairly perilous condition, and unless steps are taken to undertake its repair, it is likely to progressively collapse and be lost to the Town. The repairs will include making a new stem, remedial work to the base, and refixing the entwined snake handles. A Suffolk-based conservator has been identified to carry out this very specialist repair, and it is planned to involve students from the Suffolk College so that they can see this work carried out.
The Planter is seen by everyone passing through the Square and it forms a very impressive centre-piece.
This terracotta planter was made by the firm of M.H. Blanchard and Sons & Co. probably in 1874. Blanchards were the successors to Coades and carried on manufacture in the same premises at Blackfriars Road, London.
The Planter is a very fine example of the Company’s work. To allow repairs to commence, a surrounding protective barrier was erected at the beginning of May this year, with completion due in Spring 2010.
Having been made aware of the deteriorating and broken state of the Blanchard Planter by concerned local residents, The Bury St Edmunds Society, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, the Bury St Edmunds Town Trust, and the Bury in Bloom Committee have met together and are jointly launching an appeal for local people to contribute towards the cost of the necessary repairs.
This is an opportunity for local people to give their support to this project and to show that we care together for this beautiful Town.
For more information, please contact: Alan Jary (01284 764584) or Martin Lightfoot (01284 704435).
If you would like to contribute, please make donations payable to The Bury Society and send to: The Bury Society, c/o The Treasurer, C.A.B. Building, 90 Risbygate Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3AA
.
|
