Who was Benjamin Mayo, the Nottingham legend?

Benjamin Mayo was a notable figure from Nottingham in the 1800s, commemorated by The Old General statue.

What happened to The Old General statue in Hyson Green?

The beloved statue of Benjamin Mayo disappeared during the redevelopment of The Old General Pub site.

Why was The Old General statue important to the community?

Locals cherished the statue, especially the tradition of dressing it up as Santa Claus for Christmas.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Nottingham Legend Statue Vanishes: A Community Mystery

Nottingham Legend Statue Vanishes: A Community Mystery

15 Dec, 2025

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Summary

The Old General statue honored Nottingham legend Benjamin Mayo.
Locals once dressed the statue as Santa for Christmas.
The statue disappeared during the redevelopment of its home.

Nottingham Legend Statue Vanishes: A Community Mystery

Once a prominent feature of Hyson Green, The Old General Pub has been transformed into modern shops and residences. However, the site was formerly graced by a beloved community icon: The Old General statue, a representation of the 1800s Nottingham legend, Benjamin Mayo.

Locals held a special affection for the statue, particularly enjoying the tradition of dressing it as Santa Claus every Christmas. Its presence was a festive highlight until it disappeared during the pub's redevelopment, leaving many wondering about its whereabouts.

This mystery is explored in an episode of Notorious Nottinghamshire, where Lucie Lewis recounts Benjamin Mayo's story and investigates the circumstances surrounding the statue's disappearance.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.