Latest news with #WilliamCartwrightHignett
Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
She-Wolf Romulus and Remus statue stolen in manor break-in
Thieves have stolen a large statue of She-Wolf with Romulus and Remus from a manor house following a break-in. Four large bronze statues including a pair of fawns and a bust of Antinous, Emperor Hadrian's lover, were stolen from Iford Manor, Wiltshire, in the middle of its jazz festival. Police have launched an investigation into the theft, which took place overnight on Thursday. The She-Wolf statue has stood on the Great Terrace for more than 120 years after it was cast from the original for Harold Peto, the Edwardian architect and garden designer whose family acquired the manor in 1899. The statue also provided the backdrop for the 2020 adaptation of The Secret Garden with Hollywood actor Colin Firth. William Cartwright-Hignett, the managing partner of Iford Manor Estate, told The Telegraph: 'My overwhelming sense is frustration and sadness, I'm angry on behalf of heritage and the place. 'This isn't just a theft from me and my wife, it is a theft from the manor and its culture. 'The She-Wolf statue is the essence of the whole garden. That is the thing that really galls me the most.' Mr Cartwright-Hignett, who was in the middle of serving lunch to the 45 people who had come to support the Jazz Festival on Saturday, added: 'We feel we are the guardians of this place, as were my parents before me. I can't help but feel I've failed in my guardianship. 'When we took over in 2016, we wanted it to be a haven to escape the day-to-day riggers. When that place is violated, it makes it very difficult.' He also speculated that the theft could not have been a two-person job because the statues are made from bronze. 'They have stolen these statues with the utmost care,' he added. 'If someone wants to put them in a layby and let us know, we'll come and pick them up.' Raising awareness on Instagram, the Iford Manor account said: 'Tragically this morning we woke up to discover that certain statues within the garden including our iconic She-Wolf with Romulus and Remus have been stolen in the night in the early hours of Friday morning in the middle of our jazz festival. 'We would urge anyone with any information to please contact the police, crime stoppers, or ourselves to try to return these iconic pieces to their homes where they belong.' Police have urged the public to come forward if they witnessed any suspicious activity in the area between 10.45pm on Thursday and 8am on Friday. Antique dealers and auction houses have also been advised to be vigilant.
BBC News
11 hours ago
- BBC News
Iford Manor 'devastated' by mystery bronze statue theft
The owners of a manor say they woke up to "devastation" and "mystery" after four large, bronze statues were stolen from the grounds art pieces were reportedly taken from Iford Manor, where a Jazz festival is taking place, on Thursday Partner at Iford Manor Estate William Cartwright-Hignett said he is "frustrated and angry" that the garden, which is a safe space for the public, was targeted and "violated" in such a Police said enquiries into the incident are ongoing. A statue of She-Wolf with Romulus and Remus, including the plinth, two Roman deer and a bust of Antinous were stolen from the property, police She-wolf bronze had stood on the grounds for more than 120 years."My overwhelming sense is frustration and sadness, I'm angry on behalf of heritage and the place," he said."They're iconic pieces, they make the space what it is - they were an important element of what we're about. "It's a garden of cultural significance with a focus on tranquillity and being a safe space for people - it now feels violated." Mr Cartwright-Hignett said it is a "mystery" how the heavy statues were removed overnight."We were right in the middle of our Jazz festival - It's not a two man lift. "We wrapped up and closed everything up, went to bed and woke up to a disaster."The Jazz festival was unbelievable last night and it will be today - the show must go on."In the meantime, we hope that some right thinking people have a conscience and will restore them to their rightful owners," he have asked for any witnesses who may have information on activity on th e grounds between 22:45 BST on Thursday and 8:00 BST am on have also urged for any antique dealers or auction houses to look out for the items.
