Now you Ceres her, now you don’t

Reporter: Janice Barker
Date online: 20/03/2009

IS it any way to treat a lady?

Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture and motherhood has been dumped under a dust sheet!

The statue, which stands in Werneth Park Lifelong Learning Centre, should be greeting visitors to the grand building, once part of the Lees family estate.

But she has had a nomadic existence in various rooms in the centre, and has lost part of her left arm as well.

Currently, she stands in the foyer between the inner and outer entrance doors, covered by a sheet.

The half-naked statue, possibly marble but which could also be plaster, is destined to go back into one of the teaching rooms currently being refurnished.

Lynda Fairhurst, head of Oldham Lifelong Learning Service, said: “For some time there has been a classical statue of a woman in one of our teaching rooms. This statue has been in the building for many years and is enjoyed by staff and learners.

“While furniture was being delivered and the room reorganised the statue was moved to the reception hall and covered with a sheet to prevent damage.

“Now that staff have finished setting the room up for teaching the statue will be moved back into the room.”