Victory for the vandals
They cost £36,000 and were meant to be part of a showcase for Wigan's heritage - but theft and shameful vandal attacks have meant the two remaining historical statues at Wigan Pier have had to be removed.
The four concrete-filled and painted fibreglass sculptures were erected at the Leeds-Liverpool Canal towpath in January as part of the Wigan Pier Heritage Interpretation Scheme.
But within days of their installation thieves stole two of the statues – a pit brow lass and a boat builder.
Now Wigan Leisure Culture Trust has decided to remove the mill worker and bargee after they were constantly targeted by vandals. In one incident, the mill worker's hand was hacked off and the bargee's cap and bottom were also targeted with a saw.
The trust had introduced extra security measures, with police officers increasing patrols in the area, but the trust felt it had no option but to remove the statues while they consider alternatives.
A spokesman for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust said: "Following the theft of two of the statues earlier this year we removed the last two while we re-assess the situation.
"This scheme was extremely well received by everyone who saw these statues and, in a short time, had already become a talking point in the town.
"Sadly a persistent minority set out from the start to destroy a heritage attraction that could have been enjoyed by thousands of people walking along the towpath.
"The interpretation panels in each location will remain and we will make a decision on whether to re-instate the statues later this year."
The statues were part of a wider redevelopment programme for the Wigan Pier Quarter that has included the refurbishment of Trencherfield Mill dry dock and heritage machinery and improvements to Pottery Road bridge and pavements.
The majority of funding for the improvement programme has come from the Heritage Lottery, The Regeneration Fund and the Regional Development Fund.
The four statues and information boards, which cost 36,000, were erected to tell the story of Wigan Pier and its historical significance and rich industrial past.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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