Oxford Bodliean gets 'face' lift

Visitors staying in one of Oxford's many hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodations could see some new faces staring down at them in future from one of the city's most famous buildings.

Oxford's 17th century Bodleian Library is to gain nine new gargoyles to be erected on its north-west exterior, thanks to a competition to design new ones to replace the original aging and damaged stonework.

The winners will see their design based on one of three themes – myths, monsters or people that have a historical connection with Oxfordshire within the last millennium -transformed into stone by a master stonemason.

Shadow Arts Minister Ed Vaizey, who awarded the prizes to the winners this week, said the competition would provide a lasting legacy.

"I don't think there will be another chance for hundreds of years for anyone else to design a gargoyle for the Bodleian and these guys are all children at the moment, but their great-great grandchildren will be coming to the Bodleian to see the gargoyles that their ancestors designed," he said.

One of the winners, George O'Connor, 11, from Oxford, added: "It will be really good to look back at it and think 'Look up! That is mine'."

Visitors can gain a sneak peak at the designs for the winning entries in the Proscholium at the Bodleian's entrance from January 2nd to 18th, 2008.

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