Money for Bile Beans sign restoration appeal adding up

8:51am Friday 5th October 2012 in News

Hannah White, co-owner of Me & Mrs Fisher, waves from the top floor of the café on Lord Mayor's Walk, above the famous Bile Beans mural Hannah White, co-owner of Me & Mrs Fisher, waves from the top floor of the café on Lord Mayor's Walk, above the famous Bile Beans mural

AN APPEAL for funds to restore an unusual York landmark to its former glory is nearing success after a Press appeal sparked a string of donations.

The Bile Beans sign on Lord Mayor’s Walk is in urgent need of a paint job as its current coating is peeling off.

York Civic Trust chairman Sir Ron Cooke last week appealed through The Press for help to pay for the £1,600 facelift, and pledged donations so far mean enough is expected to be raised to allow the sign to be revived.

An anonymous offer of £500 has been made, with other cash promises from our readers ranging from £10 to £50.

Sir Ron said he had been stopped in the street by many people and had received several further offers running into hundreds of pounds. Another Press reader has suggested the bricks in the wall where the sign is emblazoned could be sponsored by residents and visitors.

“I have had offers of £100 and £250 from people who have just come up to me to say they saw the story in The Press about the Bile Beans sign and want to help with repainting it,” said Sir Ron.

“I also spoke to a woman who wanted to offer something towards the appeal because she and her husband used to arrange to meet at the sign. I’m absolutely delighted with the response, and what it tells me is that people in York really care about things like this.”

To make a donation, send a cheque – payable to ‘York Civic Trust, Bile Beans Appeal’ – to Sir Ron Cooke, York Civic Trust, Fairfax House, Castlegate, York, YO1 9RN, including your name and contact details.

Comments(9)

magic cat says...
9:38am Fri 5 Oct 12

It isn't that long since it was done up so let's hope they do a better job this time.

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nmeth says...
10:18am Fri 5 Oct 12

A cheque? How quaint!

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again says...
10:38am Fri 5 Oct 12

Looks like that wall has a patch of damp needs fixing first. Old chimney?

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Ignatius Lumpopo says...
11:34am Fri 5 Oct 12

Good. I mentioned this at a Guildhall Ward meeting five years ago and they said they'd get back to me. They never did.

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Ignatius Lumpopo says...
11:42am Fri 5 Oct 12

The sign was 'lifted' and used in the recent depression-era movie "Lawless" - you can see it in the background 15 seconds into the official online trailer.

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matroom says...
1:16pm Fri 5 Oct 12

Ignatius Lumpopo wrote:
The sign was 'lifted' and used in the recent depression-era movie "Lawless" - you can see it in the background 15 seconds into the official online trailer.
Well spotted. Nice.

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david simpson1 says...
5:42pm Fri 5 Oct 12

That's good news, As me and my wife visit York once every year, it's a sign we look for every time and this year will be 55 years. ( I may add we don't come to see the sign). But it doe's need a dab of paint.

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gmsgop says...
8:30pm Fri 5 Oct 12

Ron, thanks a lot for taking the initiative here, perhaps we can broaden the scope to upgrade other pieces of York. The clock looks fab, maybe we can form a donor fund and multiply your superb efforts to date. Thank you, shows where there is a will, there is a way.

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dodgydavereturns says...
7:55am Sat 6 Oct 12

Isn't this just early 20th century graffiti?

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