New image for arches restoration plan

The Friends of the Royal Pump Room Gardens group is aiming to recreate eight 19th century Linden Arches and have them in place around the gardens in Leamington in time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

The cast iron arches will be put up at their original sites in the Parade and Dormer Place and will feature ‘vandal resistant’ illuminated globes and gilded crowns.

Last week Archie Pitts, the Friends’ chairman, said he was optimistic the group could raise the remaining £30,000 needed for the project to go ahead.

Cllr Sue Gallagher (Con, Leek Wootton), the Warwick District councillor responsible for culture, is another who is backing the proposals.

She said: “The thrust is that we want to bring back something beautiful which can be admired.

“It ticks a lot of the boxes about Royal Leamington Spa and obviously it is a prestigious thing we are doing.

“We are looking for any companies that would like to make a donation to the fund.

“In these hard times it is lovely to have something we are going to get on its way.”

Donation forms are available at Leamington town hall, the visitor centre at Leamington library, Riverside House and other public places.

Call 885532 or email [email protected]