It was 2016 when I first stopped to snap and blog – the shops, homes and William Mitchell concrete sculpture.
By then the missing housing block was already missing.
Returning in 2018 the shops are now shut and the homes stand empty.
In 2019 there’s still nobody home, but the totem is in place.
In 2020 the undergrowth has grown over the square.
It’s 2021 and stasis is the order of the day.
Fast forward to 2023 and the shops and homes are finally demolished – the totem still still in place.
The base has been dug out and the sculpture awaits removal to the adjacent flats.
I was told that one estimate for the job was £120,000 – given its weight and location over railway tunnels.
So as of today today 26th February 2024 – ain’t nothing shaking but the weeds twixt the flags.
Modern Mooch 
Can’t see what all the fuss is about,
you can clearly see it was made in 2 halves.The main sculpture would have been cast in artist’s studios & the base would have been poured on site,
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Quite so – the contractors that I spoke to on site seemed to be aiming the shift the whole lot, though months later nots happened. My solution would be to build any new development around the sculpture and spend the money saved on treats for local children.
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Nice to meet you on Monday and I wish that I had gone on with you to see this. It brings to mind Ozymandias
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
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Nice to meet you too – the quote is very apt!
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