Rocking horses, teddies and framed photos. These are just a few of the items that have been left on and around a North East village sign after its brass pony statue was stolen nearly two years ago.
Residents of Ryhope in Sunderland have been horsing around lately as they take part in a fresh effort to replace a statue of an old mining pit pony.
The Ryhope pit pony statue was popular with locals, sitting on top of a sandstone sign welcoming people into the village on Stockton Road.
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@thenorthernecho Residents have replaced the iconic stolen bronze pit pony statue with other forms of horse.
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To everyone’s dismay, the pony was mysteriously cut down and stolen in November 2021 as locals have recently begun a new effort to replace the pony and restore the sign to its former glory.
The residents’ latest effort now sees a golden replica of the pony secured to the sign, thwarting any future attempts of the horse going missing.
The history of the sign dates back to 2009, when it was commissioned by the Ryhope Development Trust and sculpted by Andrew Butler.
Ryhope’s pony celebrates and immortalises the village’s proud mining history and pays tribute to the many ponies that toiled underground all those years ago.
Nearly two years on, the local initiative to replace the pony is the only sign people have seen to suggest we may one day see another bronze pony sitting proudly on the stone.
Sunderland City Council confirmed this news, meaning the rocking horses and replicas created by locals could be the new normal.
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A spokesperson said: “We are aware that the Ryhope Pit Pony statue was stolen in 2021 and sadly never recovered.
“The Council is however not aware of any plans or funding at this point in time for it to be replaced.”
The Northern Echo also contacted Northumbria Police, who confirmed the case remains open and anyone with information should call 101 and quote log NP-20211001-0031.
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