The Maiden with Swans is a much-loved and iconic sculpture on Ray Mill Island created by Eunice Goodman and donated to the Island in 1988. Over the years she has suffered some damage, with holes appearing in her base which has let in water and debris. She has also lost her original bronze colour, and the Friends wanted to try and restore her to her former glory. A local creative artist Richard Grant offered to carry out the renovations but needed some extra pairs of hands to help out. Nivi and Sheila helped out on the first morning together with a couple of other volunteers. First job was to brush down the sculpture, getting rid of as much of the debris as possible, including scooping out all the muck from inside the base. The stonework around the sculpture was taped off and then it was time for a chemistry lesson. Two chemicals were mixed together vigorously, poured down paper tubes positioned in holes in the base, and after a few minutes they expanded to form a structural polyurethane foam and left to harden. Fascinating! Sheila returned on the afternoon of day 2 to find the base fully stabilised and repaired, and one of the swans painted with bronze resin. The next job was to rub down the rest of the sculpture, brush it down and clean with acetone before painting. By the end of the afternoon the second Swan had been finished as well as the Maidenhead seal. It was fascinating to be part of the project and contribute to the restoration of this beautiful statue