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A STATUE STOLEN from a Belfast library has today been returned.
The statue in question depicts a girl reading a book with a blackbird on her shoulder.
It was reported that sometime between the evening of 19 November and the afternoon of 20 November, the statue went missing from a black plinth situated on the grounds of the Ormeau Road Library.
The PSNI appealed to anyone with information on its whereabouts or the people involved.
After nearly a month and no sign of the statue, all hope was lost. But last week, it came into the hands of an antique store, who purchased the piece from a scrap metal dealer.
Justin Lowry, who owns The Square Emporium in Belfast, said he was dubious of the statue’s origins when it arrived in his shop.
He gave the scrap dealer a deposit while he investigated further. When he realised where it was from, he contacted the library and it was returned to the grounds today.
“We would regularly buy from a network of scrap dealers and salvage hunters, most of whom we know well,” said Lowry.
“In 10 years this is the first time we have come across a stolen item. I was wary of the statue when the scrap dealer, who I have not had dealings with, brought it in.
“It gave us great pleasure to return the fantastic statue, especially at this time of year on the run up to Christmas.”
The sculpture was created by Italian artist Daniela Balmaverde who has lived in Belfast for many years. It was commissioned for the library as part of a cross community project.
Well done you, a heart warming story. Volunteerism is great; so many people get so much out if it. The GAA wouldn’t exist without out, or other organisations like SVP or The Samaritans. The culture of volunteerism should be promoted more, particularly in schools. Gaisce are a greet organisation also. As you said often the volunteer gets more out of the act than he/she puts in.
I’ve often thought that volunteering should be encouraged here. My 85 year old grandfather volunteers at his local primary school where he helps young children with their reading. Many who do not have much contact with their own grandparents, get to engage with him and learn a sense of respect for the elderly.
I’d live to see transition year students engaging in volunteering projects, whether visiting the elderly, cleaning their local area or engaging in habitat conservation, in would benefit them and their locality massively.
Peesonally I get opportunities to voku teer through work, but I don’t get involved enough. After reading this great article, I think I will now. Thanks Mark
I also need to learn to proof read! Sorry all
My Dad also volunteers and he gets so much from it. He really looks forward to his weekly visits. He has become firm friends with this elderly man. Well done you.
Coming to the end of the Fleadh here in Sligo & we had over 1100 volunteers for the 8 day festival & many more for the Tidy Towns work over the summer.
I think this will lead to a lot more people volunteering in the future as it has all been a resounding success.
I love volunteering. It is great to give back and if you pick the right role you can learn a massive amount. I was chairman of a festival at age 26. It is similar to the experience of running a business, great for your cv, costs only time and gives you a great buzz!
Thanks for the article Mark. Who does one get in touch with if your interested in volunteering?
Your local Volunteer Centre can help you find out about volunteering options to suit you. The website address is http://www.volunteerCOUNTYNAME.IE ie http://www.volunteermayo.ie http://www.volunteercork.ie etc.
You can also check out http://www.volunteer.ie for more information about volunteering in Ireland.
There is also an app called I-VOL you can download.
Good luck with it Kerry! :-)
Came across this article and as a person who does a lot of volunteering I want to say thank you Mark for making a difference in someone’s life. There is something called the responsibility ripple and that is best describe by each person taking responsibility to make a difference and as people become aware they too take responsibility. From what I’m reading Mark, you are definitely creating the ripple. Stand proud and keep up the great work!
Anyone interested volunteering can search http://www.volunteer.ie for a county by county list of opportunities and how to apply. A lot require Garda vetting and this can take a long time. Because I was born in the UK mine took four months.
I volunteer with the Salvation Army and I love it. But when I did my thesis on stress between the employed , the unemployed and volunteers, I found that of the 3 groups, volunteers suffered the most stress.
You don’t have to join an organisation or charity to volunteer, there are plenty of elderly people out there who need a hand with things like gardening and DIY Or who would just be grateful for company of another person to chat n have tea with for a little while. It must be horrible to be old and lonely and feel so isolate for you community.
I volunteer. So does my Mrs.
We teach music to adults for free.
Volunteering yields benefits 100 times what you invest.
Goddam communists!
Stop promoting volunteering. Every job deserves a wage.
Such a stupid thing to say! Did you read it? He’s his friend.
Nowadays the trend is :underpay the worker . cheap labour.Below minimum wage.Next thing will be work for no pay at all.
There are various methods used to supress wages. Visas, immigration, off-shoreing, I think the last is the most popular now. Volunteering has no measurable impact on wages in the marketplace.
You don’t volunteer to produce goods for profit. You volunteer to help your fellow man.
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