Peter Pan and Wendy still remain a classic story of childhood enchantment in our worlds.
Robert Milligan, a mayor of Oamaru in North Otago, had seen the children enjoying the statue in the Kensington Gardens in London and commissioned a statue on the theme of the Never-Never land for the Oamaru Public Gardens. The sculptor was Thomas Clapperton, a pupil of Sir George Frampton. The statue was unveiled in 1927.
Since then it has been touched by 100’s of children who know the story and the fairytale animals further below gleam with their fond stroking!
This is the top of the statue and depicts not Peter Pan but must be John and Wendy. Peter Pan is there on the right looking up....or is that Tinkerbell?
Three good things:
1.A photograph opportunity opened up with a ride through the Gardens after a visit to the Library where I was aware of a older man who said he had just shifted to Hampden, further down the road from Oamaru, from Auckland. He said he had never joined a library! Now he was enchanted with all the books around him and the friendliness of the library staff!
2.Hearing about floods further north in that other NZ island but just good weather down here!
3. The two dumb bells under the coffee table look unloved!
Such a sweet sculpture. I find it amazing how people cannot join a library, we're encouraged to get our babies library membership from around 6 months as they run kiddie sessions from a very early age.
A beautiful Statue which has been lovingly stroked by many children over the years. What a lovely thought that it has given lots of pleasure! Can we see the dumb bells and maybe give them a bit of love?
@sharrystar We were too, Sharon- part of our lives! This guy was elderly and probably lived in an area of Auckland that was miles from a library. Maybe never had a car. He probably sold his house in Auckland for heaps and bought a nice house in Hampden for peanuts so was able to buy a car. Just guessing!
As a fan of the stories, I really enjoy how your photo shows the sculpture almost glowing from the many childish fingers who have touched it. A lovely shot. The blue tones are very evocative.
A gorgeous sculpture!!! I love the idea that so many hands have touched this image and been magically transported to a mythical never never land! Your capture and pov is just lovely!!
Being a librarian I can't understand why people don't join a library.
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