Photo-a-Day  (Monday, 25th March, 2013)

How many of us Wiganers have rubbed this gentleman's foot? Great photo.

Ah the man with the shiny shoe.....nice one John......cheers!!!

That looks fantastic, I guess that I have been one of probably millions of people to rub that toe.

|Whose's he ? Never heared of him .

Theres a couple of vieos below of Francis.

First one is of his view from up there.

http://youtu.be/LVAvIjo2-OI

And second one is of somebody foundling his lucky worn out shoe.

http://youtu.be/kPCvPY4fDMo

Very imposing statue and as you say John, well restored. It shows it can be done.

Again, lots of happy childhood memories. I can remember having to be lifted up to rub his foot.Restoration looks good.

he's looking good and i hope he'll remain there for many more years so that local children can visit and make their wish.

My Dad lifted me up to rub that shoe and make a wish; I lifted my children up and now they lift my grandchildren. I'm sure the tradition will carry on for always with our Little Wiganers and I hope all their wishes come true.

When I was a child, going anywhere near that statue, let alone rub his foot was expressly forbidden. Glad it's all changed.

John, you are following in my footsteps! I had P-a-D`s posted on 2nd and 3rd of April last year in Mesnes St. area and Sir Francis Sharp Powell`s statue. They were taken on 27th March 2012 in a tempr. of 70degF.
It`s 103 years ago when this statue was unveiled - wonder when it will be cleaned next?
When did you take this fine photo, John?
(Had put the above on your P-a-D yesterday in error!)

alan at 02.58 is obviously not a Wiganer.

It must be 60 years ago when I first rubbed his shoe for good luck. A strong, happy childhood memory.

I was guilty of rubbing his foot many times, since I walked past every school day from St. Johns to beech hill where I lived.No danger from predators in those days.Good times.

I'm not a Wiganer so just done a quick research on Sir Francis Sharp Powell, he was quite an interesting, and well educated man. May all who rub his foot have their wishes granted.

I was in mesnes park in May 2012 and took photos of the statue, unfortuatly it was before any restoration work and it had graffiti on it. I'd love to visit the park now to see the restoration first hand.

I am one of the thousand children who couldnt walk past without going to "polish" his shoe..Lovely restoration and lovely memories.

Do they do restorations on living persons?