A CIVIL engineer who left his mark on Leamington has now made his mark in the town’s Jephson Gardens.
A sculpture celebrating the work of William De Normanville – who was Leamington’s Borough Engineer and Surveyor from 1882 until his retirement in 1917 – is the latest addition to the sculpture trail in the Grade II-listed gardens.
Among his major achievements in Leamington are the Adelaide Road Bridge, which saw iron replace stone); the restoration of the Pump Rooms; the renovation and layout of the Pump Room Gardens, with the addition of the bandstand); the York Bridge; the York Promenade; the swimming-baths which became the library, and the layout of the Mill Gardens and the Victoria Park.
He was also responsible for one of the town’s most distinctive landmarks – the weir and suspension bridge – Mill Bridge – over the Leam.
The lifesize silhouette sculpture of de Normanville, which also records his association with Leamington, was made by artist Tim Ward, who worked with Leamington History Group and pupils from St Peter’s Primary School.
The sculpture, located near the Willes Road entrance, was commissioned by Warwick District Council and funded by Leamington Town Council.
Warwick District Council chairman Michael Doody said: “Until now there has been no memorial to de Normanville in Leamington,
“I am therefore delighted his life and works have now been recognised and form the newest part of the Jephson Garden’s sculpture trail, which has been developed by Warwick District Council to encourage visitors to explore and enjoy our beautiful award winning park.”