Ellie Ames 29 September 2023

Where’s Wally? Stolen statue spotted and returned to council

Where’s Wally? Stolen statue spotted and returned to council image
Image: www.aroundealing.com

A piece of art stolen in a heist 16 years ago has been returned to Ealing Council.

The distinctive Wally Bird statue, said to be worth £30,000, was taken from the London authority’s Pitzhanger Manor House in 2007.

The bird – a pot designed to store tobacco – was produced in 1894 and is one of several made by three Southall-based potters, the Martin brothers.

It was part of a collection of valuable Martinware pottery taken by professional art thieves during two robberies.

Years later, researcher Nigel Wilson spotted the stolen statue in an auction catalogue and contacted the Ealing Council archivist, Dr Jonathan Oates.

Dr Oates got in touch with lawyer Christopher Marinello, an expert in tracing stolen works of art, who negotiated the unconditional return of the piece, providing his services at no cost to the council.

Ealing’s bout of good luck continued, with insurers Zurich Municipal waiving a requirement for the repayment of the insurance settlement.

Cabinet member for thriving communities Cllr Poly Knewstub said: ‘We are delighted that this Wally Bird statue has been returned to the borough nearly two decades after it was stolen.’

The Wally Bird is back on display.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Social Worker - Adults Emergency Duty/Approved Mental Health Professional

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£46,206 - £55,992
Senior Social Worker / Approved Mental ... Twickenham, Greater London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Care & Support Worker

West Northamptonshire Council
£13.52ph
36 hours per week (12 hours day shifts). Operating on a 4 week rolling rota. The current rota for this position does not include any weekend working. The team will provide quality care for our people, specialising in rehabilitation/reablement and sub-acu Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Graduate Trainee Emergency Planning and Resilience Consultant

Essex County Council
£27055.00 - £31829.00 per annum
Are you a Graduate, looking to become part of a crucial, efficient and high achieving team? England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Finance Officer- Transactional Services

Essex County Council
£34121.00 - £40142.00 per annum
Senior Finance Officer- Transactional ServicesFixed Term, Full Time£34,121 up to £40,142 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 - £35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / Grade 11 - £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
Applications are invited for a Social Worker within the Durham and Chester le Street Locality Team, temporary until 30 September 2026 subject to the r Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner