Photo-a-Day (Tuesday, 4th October, 2016)
Sir Francis Powell
Photo: Dave (Oy) (Fuji X-Pro2 )
Well captured, Dave. Great angle.
I think what spoils this statue is Sir Francis big overcoat hanging on the back of his chair, it would have looked a lot better if he had hung it up on a hook on the back of his office door.
The sculptor is showing his skill in modelling the folds in the overcoat.... It allows you to think was he detained from leaving at the last minute? Did something urgent crop up? ( the side of the head looks a bit damaged to me)! The park wouldn't be the same without the statue. I bet there's hundreds of photographs of Wiganers standing near the base of it.
When I was growing up this man was always referred to with his full name of Sir Francis Sharp Powell. Interesting that he lived and died in Horton Hall Yorkshire !!
I remember being lifted up to rub Sir Francis's shoe, but his sightless eyes frightened me, and I only pretended to make a wish. On wintry nights, my Dad always used to say, "Owd Mon!.....Ah'm cowder than yon mon in't t'park", and I would edge closer to the fire and imagine Sir Francis sitting in the icy dakness. Little ones in Wigan continue to be lifted up to rub that famous shoe; I love to see them and hope all their wishes come true.
Thank you so much for this. It brings back so many happy memories, mainly going to the Park with my parents on a Sunday afternoon. My Dad working shifts meant we did not have many family outings.
Mick - Unfortunately the budget did not run to modelling an office door as well!
A.W. there would be no need to make a office door with a overcoat hung on it.
If anybody was taking a photo these days they would say hang on a bit let me move that mucky overcoat first.
I wouldn't surprise me to learn that he left his vest and underpants lying about all over the place either Mick.
If I ever asked mi mam where such a body was she would always reply ... "she's run off wi that man in't park wit stone belly!"
There a video here of somebody actually having a gentle rub of his shoe.
https://youtu.be/kPCvPY4fDMo
Yes I have a photograph of myself rubbing the toe taken approximately 40 years ago !
Blank? No photo.