A world-renowned artist has created a new sculpture for a public garden in Billericay, Essex, after the original artwork was stolen twice over seven years. The new piece, titled "The Spirit of the Child in the Park," will replace the beloved original sculpture "The Child in the Park" that had been a cherished feature of Lake Meadows since its installation in 2001.
The original bronze sculpture faced a troubled history of theft, first disappearing and being recovered in 2017, then being stolen again in 2024 when it vanished from its plinth. Artist John Doubleday, who created both the original and replacement sculptures, deliberately chose different materials for the new work to prevent future thefts.
Doubleday, 78, who lives near Maldon, has been working on the 6-foot-tall replacement sculpture since July. The new piece is constructed from fondu cement rather than bronze, taking the shape of an upward spiral. "It's very different, it is a different material," Doubleday explained. "The problem with the first one, being in bronze, it was a target for theft."
The acclaimed artist, whose portfolio includes sculptures of Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, and a famous Charlie Chaplin statue in Leicester Square that was unveiled in 1981 by actor Sir Ralph Richardson, said his motivation for creating the replacement came from "stubbornness and a refusal to give in to the more negative aspects of people's behavior." He emphasized that "sculpture is a personal view that you hope will mean something to other people."
Despite the different shape and materials, Doubleday designed the new sculpture with the same educational purpose as its predecessor. The artwork is "intended to be an entry point for engaging children into animals and the natural world," he said. The spiral design represents an "upwards spiral of life relating to children's engagement to the natural world," encouraging young visitors to explore their curiosities about nature and learn about the environment.
The new sculpture has been commissioned by the Friends of Lake Meadows, with funding assistance from the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower. The statue is scheduled to be unveiled later, marking a resilient return of public art to the community garden despite the challenges posed by repeated thefts.
