New frog mascot unveiled at revamped paddling pool

Council bosses say a new frog-shaped litter bin will honour a previously-loved statue at Nottingham's new-look Victoria Embankment paddling pool.

The popular summer attraction closed in 2021 because of ongoing maintenance problems but will re-open later this month.

For decades, a concrete frog had been the centrepiece of the pool until it was vandalised beyond repair in 2009.

Nottingham City Council said the new bin, which it has named Victor, will "take pride of place" at the revamped site.

A spokesperson for the authority said it had conducted an oral history project with local care homes and local families who had childhood memories at the pool.

They said: "The stories of the frog were very much prominent in people's minds.

"Children now don't remember him, but certainly the older generation, and the generation of the paddling pool users through the fifties and sixties, they very much remember him."

The council said it could not bring back the concrete frog so the re-opened pool would refer to the creature in its "artwork and signage", as well as the new bin.

The spokesperson continued: "We've actually been taking Victor [the bin] out and about for different photo shoots, gradually making his way to the pool."

Victor's name was selected to pay homage to the name of the park in which he would reside, the Victoria Embankment.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Nottingham Civic Society said they had no objections about the replacement frog.

"I would take the view that if the kids like them, who am I to say otherwise," they told the BBC.

"As it wasn't Grade II listed then it ought to be alright."

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