Photo-a-Day  (Friday, 9th March, 2018)

I'll bet his extremities are frozzen sat up theer in't cowd.

You wouldn't think we statues felt the cold,
But I could do with a stroll to warm me up,
I'm thinking the cafe has hot soup to sup.
I'm off there tonight after Tommy turns up.

Nice photo. That toe still gets lots of rubbing even on cold day.

Si thi' yon mon int' park wit stone belly
That's 'im 'us run off wi' eauwr Nellie.
Serves 'im reet fer gerrin caught,
Cast in stone, allus cowd 'un deep in thought!

Take heed of this little ditty
No need to waste on him your pity
Like Dorian Grey's portrait in the attic
Aged in his chair he remains, forever static!

A very thought provoking picture Eileen and the memories it stirs up!

The number of people that have rubbed that 👠 shoe.

What's this 👠 that keeps cropping up periodically?. Is it rude word hitherto unknown to me?...and how do you pronounce it?

I love the poems, Poet and Veronica....they have brightened my morning! I remember my Dad lifting me up to rub the shoe but Sir Francis's sightless eyes frightened me and I only pretended to make a wish. Sometimes, on Winter nights in the little house I grew up in, I would imagine Sir Francis sitting in the icy, foggy park, and I would shiver and edge closer to the fire. I lifted my children up to rub the shoe and the little boy I lifted up now lifts up my grandchildren. I think it's lovely that Wigan's present and future children will carry on this tradition and I hope all their wishes come true.

There is poetry aplenty in your last comment Irene. Beautiful .
Good photo Eileen.

Thankyou, Poet. Eileen.... I hadn't realised it was you who had taken the photo...well done! It's beautiful, and timeless to Wigan eyes.

I loved that verse Veronica !
In my mind I could still read it with a strong Lancashire lilt !

Where are the chains around the monument, anybody know

Let me be , let me be , let me be !
Leave my foot alone , don’t polish , don’t crowd , just see. I was once important but now I’m not , hand the chalice to the now , not to the long forgot!

Nice shot Eileen :)

Thats very nice of you to say so Helen.... It's just a bit of fun. Many's the time I have heard Mr Powell described as 'that mon in park wit' stone belly'!

Irene I'm almost sure I have read your words before ... Was it from one of your articles in 'Past Forward'? I know you wrote about the park. Anyway it sounds lovely and cosy!

Yes, Veronica. The words are from my article, "Yesterday in the Park".