These corgi statues in Walsall Arboretum were on the local news yesterday as there have been grumblings about the cost to local tax payers.
I had to go to Walsall today to have my nails done so thought I’d take a look. As I was there I was approached by a man who asked what I thought of the statues and whether I thought it was a waste of money (apparently they cost £35,000). He told me that they were to commemorate the visit to the town by the late Queen in 1962.
I explained that I wasn’t from Walsall but loved the beautiful arboretum so visited it whenever I was in the area (my daughter lives just over the road), but I thought it might be worth it if it brought more visitors to the area. He then told me that he worked for the Daily Mail newspaper.
@illinilass I’m not sure Dorothy. It’s “Flossy the ‘Oss” and represents the leather and saddle-making industry in Walsall. It’s been there for many years.
You handled the questioning well Lesley and avoided the trap of being quoted in the Daily Mail !!!! As for the statues - I love dogs , but I am sure they could have found more "classy" statues than these for the price - these could have been found in any back garden !!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with @beryl they look like they are made with a very cheap material. I like the idea & im sure the late queen would have been tickled but it looks a lot of money for a statues that look rather cheap.
ahhh you see Lesley , a journalist trying to put words in your mouth , rather than , "what do you think of the corgi's"...Daily Mail for you ...alhough I am sure it's not just the mail who do that kind of thing ...I rather like them , a bit tacky perhaps !
I don't have any problem with money being spent on art - it does cost money like anything else and we'd all be the poorer without it! However these do look a little odd, like oversized children's toys.
Thanks all for your comments - similar to mine I think. I thought I’d look up a bit more info, which I’ve added to the original dialogue, if you’re interested.