Why no statues in Accy?

Tealeaf · 28-09-2005, 12:39

As far as I'm aware, there is not a single statue in Accy. There are the war memorials, of course, but no statue to any named individual....no monarch, soldier, politician, industrialist or "celebrity".

This seems to me to make Accy unique amongst similar towns in England. Even Clayton had the bust of Edward VII; there are more than a few in Blackburn; Colne has its Wallace Hartley...Burnley has a few...but what have we got? Nowt!

Does anyone know why this is so? Surely we have had people of note, certainly in the 18/19centuries and possibly the early 20th, to justify a memorial statue. Or are we just a cynical lot? My own opinion is that a good statue is a far more attractive proposition, than say,a cog wheel in concrete or that other piece of loonacy, a panopticon. And if funds were to be made available, who should it be?

SPUGGIE J · 28-09-2005, 12:47

If a statue went up in Accy it would be spray painted at a minimum and proberly have it in pices inside a week. Sad sign of the times that it could end up costing more to look after it than erect it. Would be nice though Tealeaf a statue of a prominent historical figure connected to Accy. Heres hoping.

cashman · 28-09-2005, 12:51

got to agree with your opinion tealeaf, i always make a point of looking at statues wherever i come across them, youve got me thinking now=( people of note?)

chav1 · 28-09-2005, 12:58

shhhh lets move away from the subject of statues we could end up looking at PB for the rest of our days if he gets wind of this idea

SPUGGIE J · 28-09-2005, 13:06

Thats a statue I would have no objection to the teens defacing

Tealeaf · 28-09-2005, 13:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPUGGIE J

If a statue went up in Accy it would be spray painted at a minimum and proberly have it in pices inside a week. Sad sign of the times that it could end up costing more to look after it than erect it. Heres hoping.

Not neccessarily so. In terms of vandalism & street crime, Accy is not that much different than other towns. I have however, rarely seen a statue being vandalised; other structures,yes - certainly some of the more weird pieces of contemporary art.A big imposing statue on a good solid plinth, is rarely touched, other than the head getting covered in pigeon sh*t, but thats about it.

I'm still puzzled on why we ain't got one.

Less · 28-09-2005, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by chav1

shhhh lets move away from the subject of statues we could end up looking at PB for the rest of our days if he gets wind of this idea

If it was a memorial stone to him it might just be worth it!

andrewb · 28-09-2005, 13:41

If they added statues people would only complain that council money wasn't spent wisley enough as it is

Gayle · 28-09-2005, 13:41

Pick any one from the following

1. Because no one has suggested it before
2. Because there isn't anyone of note that the people of Acc want to recognise in this way
3. Because our Council is not 'into' public art of any sort
4. Because no one has got their a**e into gear and raised money for one
5. Because any that have been suggested have been rejected by the Council

I took a walk around Burnley a few weeks ago and counted 12 pieces of public art - some your traditional style sculputures of people and some a little more contemporary but none of them offensive and all of them are interesting and add colour to the streets. I agree with you Tealeaf (for once), I love most types of public art whether it's more traditional or something more controversial - quite simply they brighten the place up.

chav1 · 28-09-2005, 13:56

i think a statue of a fireman with a plaque of those who died in the line of duty would be a nice thought for a statue if we were to have one

better than some halfwit coucilor or polotition an day in my book

i think even todays kids would show respect for people who lost their lives saving others and leave the statue alone

fireman · 28-09-2005, 14:01

I like that idea Chav and thanks for the thought pal.

Tealeaf · 28-09-2005, 14:48

I was originally thinking of a statue (or the lack of one) to a named individual, rather than a collective monument to a group. Sticking up statues was the trendy Victorian to do and there were certain rules and symbols which were strictly adhered to..they sprung up all over the place..yet not in Accy! Or maybe we had one,once, and it was moved somewhere else. This is more of a question than a criticism.

Gayle · 28-09-2005, 15:06

What about Robert Peel. Wasn't he local? He started the police force, didn't he - isn't that why they're called Bobbies?

You'd have thought the Victorians would have put up a statue for him.

Tealeaf · 28-09-2005, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle Knight

What about Robert Peel. Wasn't he local? He started the police force, didn't he - isn't that why they're called Bobbies?

You'd have thought the Victorians would have put up a statue for him.

Errrrrrrrrr...No. Robert Peel was from Bury. His grandfather was from Church/Ossy. Interestingly, though, the Town Hall was originally built as the Peel Institute (otherwise known as the Mechanics Institute), and that was in its way a memorial to Robert Peel (politician). There are numerous statues to Peel around the country, the best known one being in Tamworth, Staffs.

jimmi5bellies · 28-09-2005, 15:32

Blackburn has some really interesting ones with water features and lights in them. I like the one on the bus station of a mum with child in tow that has dropped her teddy bear !