"Howard Park Lion"

Not sure if this is a sign of the times and poor Lion isn't being washed any more but as far as I can remember the two lions in our lovely park were always white. Now they are dull and grey and black. The grand kids always looked forward to "riding" them once they got over their fear if being bitten !!!
It's sad if they are black out of neglect. They look quite stately though amongst the shrubs :-)