Frogs rehoused as restoration works begins on controversial landmark

Jan 13 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

FROGS have had to be found a new home as work to restore a controversial landmark structure begins.

They have been moved from an ornamental lake surrounding the Apollo Pavilion, at Peterlee in County Durham as the water needed to be drained to allow the project to start.

The frogs and other aquatic life will be kept by Easington Council’s coast and countryside rangers until the work is finished, then returned to the lake.

The pavilion and surrounding land are on English Heritage’s parks and gardens register.

The council has appointed construction specialists Makers Fressynet to carry out the work to reinstate the Apollo Pavilion’s original features.

The scheme will see the replacement of a staircase giving access to the structure’s upper level and the full restoration of two original murals and feature lighting.

The park area will also be recobbled and reed beds added to the west end of the lake.

Built in the late 1960s, the concrete pavilion was designed by Victor Pasmore, who was Master of Painting at King’s College, Newcastle – now Newcastle University – to symbolise post-war simplicity and harmony.

Tim Brennan, chairman of the Apollo Pavilion Steering Group, said: “The start of this work could not have come at a more fitting time as December marked the centenary of Victor Pasmore’s birth.

“With other major develop- ments planned and ongoing in Peterlee, we will hopefully look back at some point and see this project as the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in the town’s history.”

The work, which is expected to be complete by May, has been made possible thanks to a grant of £336,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £65,000 from Easington Council.

John Pasmore, Victor’s son, said: “Thanks to funding from the HLF and District of Easington Council, people will once again enjoy one of the nation’s great artworks in its original glory.

“On behalf of my father’s family I would like to thank the Apollo Pavilion Steering Group for their commitment to ensuring that this restoration would be carried out.”

The pavilion has been dogged by controversy for years, with people protesting that it had become an eyesore.