Two bagpipers and a message from Prince Andrew, Duke of York, heralded the Sunday, Dec. 7 unveiling of a life-sized bronze statue of English poet John Milton at Milton’s Mill Park.

Community volunteers and politicians including Lt. Gov. John Carney were on hand to congratulate town officials and sculptor Paul Rendel.

The crowd was especially enthused with a representative from Queen Elizabeth II, the Honorary British Consul Oliver St. Clair Franklin of Philadelphia, who marked the celebration with a message from Prince Andrew to everyone who gathered as the statue was unveiled.

“My lords, my ladies and gentlemen. I feel like it’s January in Sussex, England,” Franklin said as a cold wind whipped around a tent in Milton’s Mill Park.

Franklin said he had dinner in October with Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. Prince Andrew was surprised to find an American town named after the poet. Franklin said the statue marked the town as moving, as Milton might have put it, from “Paradise Lost” to “Paradise Regained.”

The public art project, including Milton sitting on a bench in a park overlooking Wagamons Pond and the Broadkill River, was the brainchild of Milton resident and poetryfest founder Jamie Brown. Years ago, Brown asked Rendel, a local artist, to sculpt a statue to mark the town’s history. The Milton Art Guild also assisted in selecting Rendel.

Charlie Fleetwood, president of the Milton Community Foundation, the fundraising arm behind the statue, thanked supporters for coming together in tough economic times to support the statue.

Brown said the statue was a vision that has finally become a reality, but not until an assemblage of supporters contributed, including Delaware Division of the Arts, Sussex County Council, Town of Milton, Tidewater Utilities and the Brown family.

Rendel said he was proud to bring the new history of Milton to the town for future generations.

“Mr. Brown brought life back to Milton,” said Milton Mayor Don Post, who also recognized that community unity made the statue possible.

Sussex County Councilman Lynn Rogers said he grew up across the pond and remembered tying feedbags for Mr. Wagamon, a former Milton businessman.

Rep. George Carey thanked Joanie Martin-Brown, who was at home ill and unable to attend the event.

Jerry Esposito, president of Tidewater Utilities, said, “Why is the president of Tidewaters here today? Because we purchased a John of Milton bust, which was bequeathed to Mariner Middle School.”

Proceeds of the bust supported statute costs.

The statue unveiling was the final event marking the 10-year old John Milton poetry festival.

Prior to unveiling the statue, young poetry students, under Mariner Middle School coordinator Diane Albanese and H.O. Brittingham Elementary School coordinator Gail Merz, gathered around the sculpture. Dr. Grace Ruth Batten led a celebration prayer and a group trailed behind a drummer’s salute by Cape Henlopen High School marching band.