Photo-a-Day  (Sunday, 13th October, 2024)

Which one's George?

Where are the shoppers? I went for a day trip to Shrewsbury yesterday and what a difference .A vibrant town with a very busy indoor market and outdoor stalls but still room to walk around. There were plenty of independent shops has well has M&S .They even have a Whimpy bar.

I remember going to the official unveiling of the statue. I took my granddaughter Edie in her pram and you couldn't move for the crowds. Sadly, George was, ( back then), tucked away down a little alleyway near the bottom of the arcade and I was so glad when they moved him to this more suitable position nearer the escalator. I can just hear him saying, "Ee, well, Ah'll go to t'foot of eauwr stairs!" Nice photo, John.....is that you with George?

Nice picture John. In the words of Ken Dodd ‘There’s nothing like a quick burst on your Banjo’ even if it’s a Ukulele.

I remember when it was first opened. The crowds jostling around with excitement. Debenham’s was the first I went into. It seemed very strange with the fancy counters that were more spread out and looking very posh. You could never in your wildest dreams envisage what has happened in such a short span of time. There was always a big fancy showroom car where George is stood. He always seemed out of the way in some nook or cranny. It’s just a vast cavern nowadays - all it’s short of is a few stalagmites!!! One lone customer in view! Eerie!
( Apart from John’s mate I presume?..)

Rather ironically, I've never ventured into the Grand Arcade or played a banjo.

Bit late replying sorry but riding early doors then rushing to get showered and out ….just arrived at Harrogate and checked in and never expected that photo appearing today …..sorrybut that’s me with George a couple of week back on Tuesday afternoon,there’s a great shop for clothing etc and laid out proper no searching for sizes, in the Grand Arcade upstairs.John Noakes that’s George on the left hahahaha I’ve got to go as I’m heading for a sauna after cleaning windows take it easy everyone….

The statue of George Formby was initially sited at the back near to the entry where the replica of the Roman bath house is, and the GFS and many people too wanted his statue to be moved somewhere more prominent, which thankfully it now is. https://www.georgeformby.co.uk/news/statue/report1.htm

The Wigan Roman Bath House, another important artefact that was thrown out of the way at the back.
https://diggreatermanchester.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/wigan-roman-baths-panel.pdf

John, see that your mate goes to the same barber I go to, and strangely he can only do Lionel Blair haircuts?
Someone once said to him "that Lionel Blair doesn't have his hair cut like that"
He replied "he would have if he came here."

Veronica and Cyril that’s me with George,my missus recons the shop with all the clothes etc is well worth a visit pity I can’t think of the name and such a pity not many people in there. If only you new your photo was going to appear and when I could have added loads but just enjoying a break in Harrogate with Secret Escapes brilliant after riding round St Helen’s Warrington Platt Bridge etc this morning take it easy everyone I think I’ll arange a drink with Colin then us all maybe enjoy your evening.

Colin albet you’ve been to this hotel where we are the Double Tree Hilton Harrogate it’s excellent and on Secret Escapes it’s a bargain. I find Cyril quite humerus.

I must go on one of my very rare trips John and have gander. Not that I need any new clothes I have too many as it is!

Same here Veronica, I make a point of passing WAG on my return bike trip Sunday’s and there’s always a few cars there a Jaguar is always parked close to the entrance.

When I first saw it I didn’t think it looked anything like George Formby and this picture has convinced me it doesn’t.

Do you mean the John Holt Centre or the Kettle Centre John?
I go to both. Rest assured the Jag isn’t mine..;o))

Veronica I would imagine the John Holt Centre on Ivy …..

Just checked Veronica it’s the one on Ivy Road that I pass most Sunday mornings

Sorry John, I was going of an earlier comment and was also assuming you were behind the camera.

You're right Bill, I too agree that the Wigan statue isn't really a good likeness of the George that we know from film and TV, others too who have visited the town and left comments on Tripadvisor also say so, whilst just as many folks say that it is. Though I am just happy and very grateful that there is a tribute to him in town.
Amanda Barton was commissioned for both the Douglas IOM and the Wigan statues, and I do like the statue at Douglas which I think is more like him from his film appearances, along with a more relaxed pose.
https://www.manxscenes.com/2005/Apr/5.htm

That’s the one - there’s a lot of fund raising going on to repair it and get it up to scratch. Quite a few groups use it John.

No problem whatsoever Cyril.