The naked drummer of Truro ’s Lemon Quay – the statue outside Hall For Cornwall – has gone.
Perched on his giant globe, the 15-foot bronze drummer has stood in the city since 2011.
But as dawn broke on Tuesday morning, a team from crane operators Macsalvors hoisted the statue up and onto the back of a lorry.
The Drummer is now heading to the Eden Project for two years while work continues to revamp Hall For Cornwall. He will return to Lemon Quay when the work is complete.
Following discussions between Cornwall Council, Kier and sculptor Tim Shaw, it was agreed to remove The Drummer for the duration of the redevelopment project to ensure that the 15ft bronze sculpture is not damaged during the construction works.
The iconic sculpture was officially unveiled by Queen drummer Roger Taylor outside the Hall for Cornwall back in 2011.
The Drummer will at first be put into storage on Tuesday, while its new temporary home at the Eden Project is prepared.
Bob Egerton, Cornwall Council Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy, said: "The decision was made to move it to the Eden Project in order to keep it safe and allow residents and visitors to continue to enjoy it over the next two years.
"We look forward to welcoming it back to Truro when the refurbishment of the Hall for Cornwall is complete.”
