Marian Square Statue

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georgewiliam
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What happened to the 'work of art' which was installed in the Marian Square by Vernon's shop. It appeared in the late 50s or early 60s and resembled a tall stack of pendulous breasts. All boobs were finished of smoothly but I seem to remember it being sort of pebble-dashed all over in later times. Anyone got a photo?
daveowe
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Hi George

The statue was called something like 'Resurgence' as you say it was later pebbledashed this was to deter the graffiti writers. Eventually it was removed about the early 1970's location unknown, also it cost a few bob to commision. I recall some information in the library on the developement of Netherton, with a picture of the statue and the shops, Will see what I can dig out for you,

Regards daveowe
sheila
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My mum was on the planning committee when the Marian Square statue was first commissioned. During the committe meeting my mum asked if she could see the plans for the statue and the men refused to let her see it. The reason they gave was because it was of a naked woman and they were embarrased, but as she said it was going to on public display but they still said no. We never went past the statue without thinking about that committee meeting and it was a tale my mumloved to tell!!

Sheila
georgewiliam
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Davowe----spot-un, would really appreciate a photo if you can find one
Sheila-----if Daveowe digs out a photo, you will also understand why it was considered to be a naked woman,
I had a go at the borough archivist but really got nowhere in tracking down its current location-----needs someone local to 'harry' local government--any volunteers
matt wethered

Hi Georgewiliam,send an e-mail or P.M.to Jan.She is the kind of lady that will never give up until a problem is solved.She's a proper little pit bull terrier, will not give up and I say that as a compliment Jan.Wish we could have her over here to sort out our local council.
Matt
Jan
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:lol:

Hi Georgewiliam and Matt,

Matt, thanks for the compliments, hahaha, pit bull terrier, I like that hehe.

I don't know anything about the statue as such, I can only think of contacting Sefton Council, but what department I have no idea, maybe parks and gardens, hmmm, let me have a think about that one. I bet if I phoned up and asked about the statue, I would get some young kid answering the phone, I can imagine the conversation, the reply would be "Yer Wha, sorry, don't know who to ask about that one."

See what I can do.

Jan
daveowe
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Found a photocopy, of a photograph of the statue, in a folder of Netherton memrobilia in the Netherton branch library today. Had it copied but it is a bit iffey in the reproduction. It shows clearly Vernons Store on the corner, I have a feeling there might be a better copy in the 'Feel Good Factory'. {To expats this is a purpose built, community and healthy living centre on the site of the original shops, clinic and police station circa late 1950-60s}
Will try to havea look at their archives through the local history group that meet there. Crosby library is a joke, all local history reference is in locked bookcases, they will only allow a few books out of a bookcase at a time.

daveowe
georgewiliam
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Great stuff gang------between us we'll crack the case. I had already made queries with local council jobworthies and received a call from, what sounded like, a young lad this am working in the Crosby Library----true enough, it was a case of wot?, eh, ok I'll have a go but I felt that if his level of enthusiasm was to be transmuted into dynamite, there would be insufficient to blow his hat off. Jan, you are quite right----little commitment or sense of service.
Daveowe---keep up the good work---we may yet find a good pic.
Sheila----with a view of tracking down some relevent council minutes it might be of some use if you could advise the actual name of the committee your Mum served on and approximate date when decisions were made for the commissioning, cost and 'grand installation'.
Matt---thanks for recommending Jan and Jan, thanks for getting involved.
sheila
Posts: 304
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2006 8:08 pm

georgewilliam

all I know is that it was some time in the 50s. She went on the council 1952, and unfortunately that's all I know.

Sheila
georgewiliam
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Thanks for trying Sheila. In the meantime, a fine fellow from the Crosby Library Services has found a couple of pix the best of which I will ask Mack to put up on the forum. It looks as though the pic was taken during the statue's pebble-dash phase In general--there must have been an inauguration ceremony which will have been reported in the Bootle Times, it would be grand if a kind person could have a bash at the archived microfilm.
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Mack
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Received from George William by email

Mack
______________________________________________

Photos of the statue ------ gratefully received from Crosby Library Services

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daveowe
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Well done George William the 2nd pic is the same copy I had found. Incidentally Vernons Store is now a 'Wine bar' called Marty's. In the summer months a -pavement cafe set- can now be observed resplendent in their convivial undertakings where the statue once stood... A new mystery where is the statue?

daveowe
Kathy John Moorcroft
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Love the second pic, remember the statue from when I used to visit my two sisters in Netherton. Love the old prams in the top window of Vernons store. I think it was a supermarket last time I visited.. KATHY..
georgewiliam
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Daveowe------quite right-----where is it now
sheila
Posts: 304
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I heard that anything of value from the town hall and elsewhere in the borough had mysteriously disappeared. Last year I was talking to an old Bootle town hall employee and he said that any papers which were stored in the town hall relating to Bootle had been destroyed. Makes my blood boil when you hear that Southport don't want to be associated with Sefton but in the early days they were quite prepared to take the monies that Bootle people were paying by way of rates to tart their town up. When they first came into Sefton the first thing that happened was the old King George V school was demolished and one of the swishiest schools built to replace it.

Sheila
georgewiliam
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Hi Sheila----I left the land of my fathers for the final time in 1963 long before Southport's shenanigans with Bootle's heritage took place. My sister told me that at the outset, the new bin-lorry fleet went to Southport to be replaced with their clapped out units. Bootle as was, had massive civic pride still manifest in the many resplendant old buildings, the now defunct facilities (eg: the swimming baths), the faded elegance of the magnificance that once was Derby Park and so on. Civic responsibility by way of the police force, fire service and hospitals etc and of the massive house building programme after the war. For such a little town, it had great heart. Even the statue in the Marian Square exemplified the view that some culture is better than none. We really do have to find this 'lost' item----to my eye now, it is Picasso-like and deserves to be on show---would hate to think it now adorns some private individual's garden. Could anyone with access to 'youtube' put out a wanted poster---you never know!!
marcos_cu
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Many thanks for the pix. They really did bring back some memories. I always thought the statue was further back across the square and closer to the Post Office. So much for my memory!
Formerly Assissian Crescent, Netherton - Bootle Grammar 1968-72

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daveowe
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Discovered a piece of information in the booklet 'Bootle Signposts' A History and Directory of Bootle Streets. The piece of sculpture was called 'Growth and Development' donated by the London Developement Company and unveiled on 14th Feb 1961.

daveowe
marylock
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georgewiliam wrote:What happened to the 'work of art' which was installed in the Marian Square by Vernon's shop. It appeared in the late 50s or early 60s and resembled a tall stack of pendulous breasts. All boobs were finished of smoothly but I seem to remember it being sort of pebble-dashed all over in later times. Anyone got a photo?
Hi George Yes I remember the statue., but do you remember when the shops in the square had people to open them?. I remember the chimps in one. Mary
alex
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Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:01 pm

Jimmy Tarbuck opened NEMS shop in the square.

Alex
daveowe
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Hi Alex

Don't remember NEMS record shop were was it located you have got me curious!
The only place I recall being opened was the Eden Vale, in 1959 it was a Wednesday in the afternoon, the night shift from the EE all went there in the belief the ale was free, I think the first 10 customers got a pint and that was it.

daveowe
marcos_cu
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NEMS, I think, was where the Post Office is now...
Formerly Assissian Crescent, Netherton - Bootle Grammar 1968-72

http://wip330.110mb.com/
http://www.withnellmill.co.uk/
marylock
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alex wrote:Jimmy Tarbuck opened NEMS shop in the square.

Alex
Hi Alex I remember Jimmy Tarbuck opening the record shop and all the kids, waiting at the back of the shop for him. I lived in westminster ave then. Mary
calico
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Location: Netherton

Oh so many childhood memories! I've just printed those pics out to show my dad, he'll be chuffed. Nems was the first place I ever bought a record. I think it was next to the Civic where the betting shop is now next to Iceland (which was Finefare then). How things have changed, we even had a Tesco!!!

Jan
marcos_cu
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In many ways the Marian square is largely changed from how it was, the names on the shop fronts have changed,there are now a few benches and of course the statue has gone. But in it's essentials the square remains as it was.

Does anyone else have any memories of the the square back in the old, happier, days?
Formerly Assissian Crescent, Netherton - Bootle Grammar 1968-72

http://wip330.110mb.com/
http://www.withnellmill.co.uk/
The Faith Healer
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I remember it well, I still have the scar's on my knee's from climbing on it in the 60's.

PS: I can't see any pictures of it, can someone post a link up please.
marcos_cu
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Formerly Assissian Crescent, Netherton - Bootle Grammar 1968-72

http://wip330.110mb.com/
http://www.withnellmill.co.uk/
scotty
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georgewiliam wrote:What happened to the 'work of art' which was installed in the Marian Square by Vernon's shop. It appeared in the late 50s or early 60s and resembled a tall stack of pendulous breasts. All boobs were finished of smoothly but I seem to remember it being sort of pe

bble-dashed all over in later times. Anyone got a photo?
The statue was pebbledashed, after my brother Billy Scott, blew of one of it's boobs with all of his bommy night squibs.He went to court and was fined ten bob and my mother also kicked the crap out of him, lol
john1878
Posts: 129
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:46 pm

On a different note-does anyone remember Jimmy Tarbuck opening a shop(possibly a record shop)in the square?
Or am i going mad?
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daddyfixit
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Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:49 pm
Location: still near

Mack wrote:Received from George William by email

Mack
______________________________________________

Photos of the statue ------ gratefully received from Crosby Library Services

Image

Image
i can remember as a child, sitting on the wooden window sills of vinnie vernons, while my mum went inside. i remember the statue stood on a plinth and i was unable to climb it!! but i do remember the huge "cornflake bowls" in the square--i was that small i could run around inside them, as they were empty??? dont remember ever seeing them with aanything in them anyway.
willo 1
Posts: 47
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2010 1:36 am

Now that Ethel Austin in the square has closed down, we have been informed that a type of casino, [slot machines, alcohol, bookies etc ] complete with bouncers wants to open up there, a petition has gone to the council asking that it be declined, as we already have two bookies in the square, whether it will do any good or not i don't know, cos when the council declined after marti's bar people put in an application, i heard they went to london and got it overturned, our little marion square is slowly being turned into a sort of slum area, we have already have six outlets [seven if you include the eden vale pub] to buy alcohol, and two bookies. two charity shops, please we dont need any more, oh yes, the fruit and veg shop has closed down as well.
Jo. x
marcos_cu
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Every time I go back there it gets worse. So depressing...
Formerly Assissian Crescent, Netherton - Bootle Grammar 1968-72

http://wip330.110mb.com/
http://www.withnellmill.co.uk/
Innocent Bystander
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marylock wrote:
georgewiliam wrote:What happened to the 'work of art' which was installed in the Marian Square by Vernon's shop. It appeared in the late 50s or early 60s and resembled a tall stack of pendulous breasts. All boobs were finished of smoothly but I seem to remember it being sort of pebble-dashed all over in later times. Anyone got a photo?
Hi George Yes I remember the statue., but do you remember when the shops in the square had people to open them?. I remember the chimps in one. Mary
I remember the chimps opening the supermarket! They were dressed as boxers and put in a boxing ring.
john1878
Posts: 129
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:46 pm

marcos_cu wrote:In many ways the Marian square is largely changed from how it was, the names on the shop fronts have changed,there are now a few benches and of course the statue has gone. But in it's essentials the square remains as it was.

Does anyone else have any memories of the the square back in the old, happier, days?
My mother was the manageress of Ashe & Nephews(off license)
daddyfixit
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:49 pm
Location: still near

john1878 wrote:
marcos_cu wrote:In many ways the Marian square is largely changed from how it was, the names on the shop fronts have changed,there are now a few benches and of course the statue has gone. But in it's essentials the square remains as it was.

Does anyone else have any memories of the the square back in the old, happier, days?
My mother was the manageress of Ashe & Nephews(off license)
there was a lad in the tommies whose mum was the licensee as well ? he lived on sefton estate and his surname was blanchard .........is it the same person we are talking about ???
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