LISTER Park in Manningham installed its latest landmark last week - when a statue of Peter Pan arrived.

A Yorkshire Day gift to the city of Bradford - it is the latest in a number of impressive statues that can now be found in the award more winning park.

The fictional hero has joined a goddess, Victorian industrialists and an imposing stag on the park’s trail of statues.

The sculpture features the youthful children’s favourite stood atop a rocky outcrop featuring faeries and woodland creatures.

The statue is a gift to Bradford from philanthropist Sir Trevor Pears, and one of just a few casts of the statue. Others are found in Australia the US and Brussels.

The present cast is one of an edition of only eight full-scale versions made by the celebrated Morris Singer Foundry for the Fine Art Society from a bronze in Sefton Park in Liverpool – where it has delighted children for generations.

Bradford Council was offered the work of art by Sir Trevor Pears to put on public display in the award-winning Manningham park.

The original, placed in London’s Kensington Gardens, was produced by renowned artist George James Frampton in 1912 in which the popular JM Barrie character playing his pipes while the fairies, rabbits, squirrels and mice look on.

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The pint-sized pirate-botherer is raising his pipe to his mouth to “play to the spirits of the children who play in the park.”

Sir Trevor is Executive Chair of Pears Foundation which promotes understanding of key issues through research and education programmes; drives engagement in social progress across the UK and globally, particularly in young people, and supports organisations focused on wellbeing for everyone.

During the current health emergency, parks’ staff have introduced a one-way system for people to view the new statue while maintaining recommended social distancing.

Other statues in the park include the imposing statue of industrialist, former Bradford Mayor and founder of Saltaire Sir Titus Salt - sat inside a Gothic style canopy was designed by the architects behind Bradford Town Hall, Lockwood and Mawson.

The statue was originally outside City Hall - but was moved to Lister Park in the 1890s.

In recent years there have been debates over whether the statue should be moved back into Bradford city centre.

A statue of the park’s namesake, mill owner Samuel Lister - who had donated Lister Park to the city of Bradford, also has a prominent spot in the park.

The statue of the founder of Lister Mills was sculpted by Matthew Noble, and its base features sculpted images of mill life. It was unveiled in 1875.

Council run art gallery Cartwright Hall, based in the centre of the park, is itself home to a number of statues. But it also provides a stunning backdrop to other statues outside the building.

In front of the building is a statue of Diana - goddess of wild animals and the hunt.

At the side of the gallery is a statue of a stag rearing its head.

A more child friendly statue of a colourful snowman can also be found near the gallery.

Announcing the new Peter Pan statue last week, Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “This is a wonderful piece of art and we are very grateful to have been gifted it.

“It’s really appropriate to have a statue of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up, on display in one of the youngest cities in Britain.

“We hope over the coming years everyone who visits our lovely award-winning Lister Park will take a moment to view this inspiring statue.”

Sir Trevor said: “I bought this wonderful statue of Peter Pan with the intention of continuing the philanthropic tradition started by JM Barrie in 1912, and in the hope that this particular version would find a home in Lister Park.

“I have been a frequent visitor to Bradford over the past twenty years. The warm welcome I’ve always experienced has led to my developing a deep affection for the city.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to express this with a Yorkshire Day gift of a statue that’s image has given so much joy for over a hundred years.

“I hope very much that this particular Peter Pan will evoke similar joy for all the young, and young at heart, who visit this beautiful park over the next hundred years.’’

Other models and casts of the monument are to be found as far afield as Brussels, New Jersey, Toronto and Perth, Australia.

Parts of the original plaster model are in the Victoria and Albert Museum.