New Brunel statue for Neyland, three years after original was stolen (From Western Telegraph)

New Brunel statue for Neyland, three years after original was stolen

12:46pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News

One of the most important figures in Pembrokeshire's history will return to his rightful place in Neyland when the new Brunel statue is unveiled next month.

The bronze statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel will be unveiled on Saturday, April 13th, at 2pm, in the Neyland Hotel Gardens, Brunel Quay, where its plinth has stood empty since the theft of the original statue in August 2010.

The original statue, which was widely regarded as an iconic piece of public art, was the only one of its kind in Wales and was the last work of Welsh sculptor Robert Thomas of Barry, who died six weeks before it was officially unveiled in July 1999.

The internationally renowned sculptor, who created a free figure statue of Aneurin Bevan in Cardiff, also produced several busts of Welsh public figures including Lord Parry and George Thomas, which can be seen in Cardiff City Hall.

The new Brunel statue, which was financed by insurance money obtained by Neyland Town Council, has been recast using the original mould and will be an exact replica of the original.

Neyland Mayor Councillor Maureen Molyneux, who was Mayoress at the time of the original unveiling, will perform the ceremony.

She said: "I would like to invite everyone to this very special event which will be a celebratory event in which all are welcome."

Member of the original Brunel memorial committee and deputy Mayor Cllr Simon Hancock added: "It is a dream come true to see the return of the Brunel statue standing in his rightful place and a sign of restitution to the community from which he was taken."