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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Photo-a-Day Archive
Photo-a-Day Archive

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

Powell Restored


Powell Restored
Restored statue in Mesnes Park.

Photo: John Barton  (Panasonic Lumix G1, 14-45mm lens.)
Views: 3,927

Comment by: Catherine on 25th March 2013 at 00:01

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

Comment by: Lizzie down under on 25th March 2013 at 01:18

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

Comment by: Ken R on 25th March 2013 at 01:28

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

Comment by: alan on 25th March 2013 at 02:58

|Whose's he ? Never heared of him .

Comment by: Mick on 25th March 2013 at 06:55

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

Comment by: Helen on 25th March 2013 at 08:06

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

Comment by: Bradshaws Girl on 25th March 2013 at 08:30

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

Comment by: kath Pressey on 25th March 2013 at 08:59

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.

Comment by: irene roberts on 25th March 2013 at 09:39

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.

Comment by: maggie on 25th March 2013 at 09:56

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

Comment by: Ernest Pyke on 25th March 2013 at 10:38

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!)

Comment by: Alan H on 25th March 2013 at 10:39

alan at 02.58 is obviously not a Wiganer.

Comment by: pberry on 25th March 2013 at 12:56

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

Comment by: Derek Platt on 25th March 2013 at 16:03

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.

Comment by: Jane on 25th March 2013 at 20:10

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.

Comment by: britboy on 26th March 2013 at 14:02

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.

Comment by: Jean F (Wales) on 26th March 2013 at 20:45

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

Comment by: Gerald Pilkington Canada on 27th March 2013 at 22:28

Do they do restorations on living persons?

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