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Friday, 12th March 2010

Formby statue set for move

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Published Date: 21 January 2009
George Formby is on the move - because he has proved so popular!
Campaigners, including the George Formby Society have won their fight to have the bronzed statue of their moved to a more prominent place in the Grand Arcade.

The statue will be relocated to the central area adjacent to the Grand Arcade Customer Service Desk, to coincide with George Formby's 105th Birthday Anniversary in May.

It is expected the statue will be moved from the Grand Arcade's New Lanes spot by the Millgate entrance from Concert Square on Saturday May 23.

The bronzed statue of George Formby was placed in its present area of Grand Arcade during the centre's opening year of 2007.

It was mainly paid for by the society, Arcade owners Modus and Brighter Borough fund contributions from a number of local councillors.

Celebrities Sir Ian McKellen, Ken Dodd and Sir Andrew Lloyd-Webber also contributed to the cost.

George Formby fans had joined a campaign started last year with the George Formby Society, to demand the statue have a more visible location for visitors and the Wigan community to enjoy.

Gerry Mawdsley, the Wigan born President of the George Formby Society, said: "George has been in a few tight spots during his film career, at the end he always managed to win the day.

"It looks like he has come out on top again, thanks to John Sanson and his colleagues at Grand Arcade and Modus.

"When we asked Modus in 2008 if there was a chance of moving him, we were delighted when they agreed. I am sure lots of people in Wigan will applaud this wonderful news."

John Sanson, Grand Arcade centre manager, said: "As a lifelong George Formby fan, I am delighted to be making this announcement in regards to the move of the commemorative statue on George's birthday – it'll be a celebration for the community of Grand Arcade and George Formby fans alike."

In conjunction with the move of the George Formby statue, the Grand Arcade is launching a competition to invite the community of Wigan to design and send George birthday cards for his 105th birthday.

The best cards will be displayed by the statue during his birthday period and a winning prize will be on offer.

For more information, visit the Customer Service Desk.

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  • Last Updated: 22 January 2009 9:05 AM
  • Source: Wigan Evening Post
  • Location: Wigan
 
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1

smartalec,

21/01/2009 12:10:35
i'm 16 and have no idea who he is, my dad doesn't like him and he isn't even that famous, why even bother with the statue
2

Jemmy,

Bryn 21/01/2009 12:21:20
Plus he lived in warrington, not wigan.
3

J Finch,

wigan 21/01/2009 12:29:36
He was born in Wigan and later moved to Warrington... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Formby,_Jr.
4

Jemmy,

Bryn 21/01/2009 17:11:43
Born in pemberton I believe, then hindley. Moved out of the wigan 'area' when he was 13, and never came back.
Warrington was his home town, that's why he's buried there.

If wigan lays claim to dave whelan, who comes from bradford, then warrington should have claim to george formby. He wasn't born there, but it was his home base when he was a star.
5

biker_75,

leaning on a lamp post 21/01/2009 17:15:30
just weigh the thing in at Calderbanks, it looks nothing like the hapless Lancashire simpleton anyway.



6

celedrialjoy,

wigan 21/01/2009 19:02:09
jemmy; I had no idea George formby was born in Pemberton, do you have any more detail of whereabouts in Pemberton I would be really interested in anything you could tell.
7

biker_75,

leaning on a lamp post 21/01/2009 20:36:13
gricer

i couldn't agree more, there are some truly horrendous sights to be seen around town
8

PDC,

Wigan 22/01/2009 07:58:35
We need to move away from celebrating this buffoon from a time when people were easily pleased. With his silly films and inane grin, this clown, Formby is the last thing that wigan needs to be associated with....
9

Mark James,

22/01/2009 09:22:59
Is this why car parking charges have gone up? Because of the cost of tis statue? £8.70 up to 6 hours? scandalous!
10

wiganer with a brain,

22/01/2009 13:39:10
Its the face of Wigan that needs moving, what a lovely spot they have ruined
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