Llandudno in mourning as Queen Victoria goes missing

The bronze bust was the monument's centrepiece
-Credit:Meirion/Wiki


For 135 years, Queen Victoria gazed imperiously down on Llandudno Pier from her perch in the resort’s Happy Valley gardens. She endured two world wars, watched two National Eisteddfodau and was royally entertained by years of open-air theatre.

But now, North Wales Police has launched an investigation into the disappearance of a bronze bust of the queen from a much-loved monument in Happy Valley. It is presumed stolen and local representatives fear the bust may have been melted down already.

The plinth on which the bust sat has also been damaged. Barriers have been erected around the Grade II-listed monument while the damage is assessed.

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Cllr Robert Atenstaedt, who represents Tudno Ward on Llandudno Town Council, said: “I am shocked to hear that the bust of Queen Victoria, which has sat upon its plinth for the last 130 years, and survived two world wars, has been stolen. I appeal to the public with help finding it.

“My big fear is that it is melted down for its scrap metal value which would be a tragedy for Llandudno.” Cllr Don Milne, chairman of the town council’s civic sub committee, added: “This community asset has been much appreciated by residents and visitors since 1890.”

The monument has a ribbed dome canopy supported by granite columns with a fountain basin below. Iron railings in the podium were designed to protect against vandalism. The bust was the monument’s centrepiece. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community

The plinth on which the bronze bust stood was also damaged
The plinth on which the bronze bust stood was also damaged -Credit:Llandudno Town Council
The incomplete monument is now fenced off
The incomplete monument is now fenced off -Credit:Llandudno Town Council

The monument was erected in 1890 to mark the 50th year of the reign of Queen Victoria, who had celebrated her Golden Jubilee three years earlier. The Happy Valley, a former quarry, was gifted to the people of Llandudno by Lord Mostyn in 1887 and is the oldest of Conwy’s parks.

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When the National Eisteddfod was last staged in the valley in 1963, a Bardic Circle was added just up from the Queen Victoria monument. Llandudno Town Council said it had been “very saddened” to discover that the historic bust is missing and it is appealing for information.

Anyone with information can contact the town council on 01492 879130 or via email at towncouncil@llandudno.gov.uk. “Any calls will be treated in the strictest confidence,” said Cllr Milne.

Alternatively, information can be reported to via 101 or via the force’s website, quoting reference number C006786. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

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