New life for symbol of much-loved princess
A memorial in a Great Barr park is to be restored within the next few months, council bosses have promised.
The monument in Red House Park to Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales could be restored to its former glory by the autumn.
It is one of only two tributes in the country to the woman dubbed the Princess Diana of the 19th Century. The princess, only child of the ill-fated marriage between George IV and Caroline of Brunswick, died in 1817 at the age of 21 before she had the chance to become Queen.
Estimated costs have been drawn up and cash has been secured through contributions from developers as part of planning conditions for a nearby housing development in Pear Tree Road. The overhaul will include structural work to prevent further subsidence, as well as repairs.
The chairman of the Friends of Red House Park, 77-year-old Bill Gunn, said he was delighted that the statue was going to be revamped.
"We were told that our monument would be restored this summer so that is great news," he said.
"I am thrilled that the statue will be restored because it is dedicated to a princess, and that is important.
Mr Gunn, of Waddington Avenue, Great Barr, added: "We were told it would by revamped by 2006, then 2007, then 2008 and now we are in 2009.
"But at least we are now making progress.
"It is a very special part of the park and people will always stop and look at it as they go past."
The death of Princess Charlotte led to an outpouring of public grief and the 30ft memorial was erected not long after.
It has since fallen into disrepair and has been daubed with graffiti.
A new sign could also be installed to make it clear it is a tribute to the princess.
Sandwell leisure chief, Councillor Linda Horton, said: "We are commissioning experts to assess the condition of the statue and the ground it stands on.
"Once that has been done we will be in a position to seek estimates for the necessary work to be done."
