Salford's Stanley finds new roost after decades in the dark

Stanley is strutting his stuff once more.

For three decades his grandeur had been hidden from sight.

Now the 1960s bronze peacock is back, with his pomp restored.

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The sculpture was created by famous sculptor Gertrude Hermes - David Bowie was an admirer and collector of her work.

After going missing for 24 years, and then spending another decade in storage the stunning artwork is now on permanent display in the grounds of Ordsall Hall in Salford.

The 64-inch high, 83-inch wide bird was made by Hermes in 1961.

A British wood-engraver and sculptor, she produced a small number of sculptures of people and animals, including swan sculptures for Ashburton Housing Estate in London and the Ordsall Peacock.

Her work graced The Tate, The Royal Academy, and National Portrait Gallery and she was awarded an OBE in 1981. She died in 1983.

Bowie bought a 1926 bronze swallow door knocker by Hermes at a Christie's auction in 1994.

The peacock graced the entrance to Ordsall High School, formerly Ordsall Girl’s School, for 27 years, between 1961 and 1988.

After the school shut, however, the peacock went missing and no-one knew its whereabouts, and it was assumed it had been stolen for scrap.

In 2012, a former Ordsall High pupil, and local councillor, George Tapp, traced it to Salford City College on Frederick Road where it was partly hidden by the bushes near the entrance, unloved and uncared for.

Given the name Stanely, it then nested out of sight but safe in Ordsall Community Arts warehouse as efforts were made to bring it back to its former glory.

Finally Ordsall Community Arts commissioned artist Noah Rose to restore the sculpture as part of a