davieG Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 A supermarket chain is planning to create a landmark monument on the site of a former factory. Sainsbury's is preparing to build a new superstore on the former GE Lighting site at the corner of Troon Way and Melton Road in Rushey Mead, Leicester. And the people of Leicester are being asked to suggest their ideas for a £70,000 statue or sculpture, which will stand outside the supermarket. MP Keith Vaz, who will be chairman of the judging panel, is hoping for something to rival the Angel of the North. He said: "This site has been derelict for far too long and the development of the area is long overdue. "I am delighted that Sainsbury's has agreed to provide funding for this new historic and exciting landmark. "We want everyone to have their say in what will be a very special landmark." Other judges will include local councillors, Sainsbury's chief executive, headteacher of the nearby Mellor Primary School, Leicester Mercury editor Richard Bettsworth and Dharmesh Lakhani, chairman of Belgrave Business Association. Mr Lakhani, who is also a Golden Mile restaurateur, said: "I'd personally like to see something big and something that represents the cultural mix of the city. "The old factory was a bit of an eyesore and this will make it nice and modern, as well as providing a shopping centre." Mr Bettsworth said: "The GE Lighting factory was itself a Leicester landmark for many years, particularly at Christmas when it was lit up with festive lights. "We welcome plans for a new monument there and look forward to seeing people's ideas. "This is a great opportunity to create a landmark which reflects the city's bright future." Leicester City Council's arts service will be working with schools and community groups in the area to gather ideas and themes from people of what they would like as a landmark but anyone in Leicester will be able to submit their ideas by e-mail. People in Rushey Mead were yesterday supportive of the idea. George Ames, 73, said: "It should be a statue of Margaret Thatcher and they can make it the size of the Angel of the North. She put this country to rights." Maz Ewart, 67, said: "It would be lovely to have a big landmark on that corner. I've been past the Angel of the North and it's beautiful. Maybe they could have a statue of a sports star such as rugby's Martin Johnson." Sushia Gohil, 64, said: "Some big monument would be good there. If it was up to me it would be Amitabh Bachan, my favourite actor." The consultation will close on June 30. To submit an idea to the judging panel, e-mail: [email protected] Read more: http://www.thisislei...l#ixzz2QG2jpgN9 Follow us: @thisisleics on Twitter | thisisleicestershire on Facebook Who or what would you like to see for this? I'm thinking a giant light bulb.
Tempwan Yierban Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 A giant Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz
Finnegan Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 a 50ft Maggie. Wow. Personally, I wouldn't want any actual person as a statue. The angel is significant because its a symbol, not just the memory of one individual.
21st Century Fox Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 I think we've just found out flowwolf's real identity.... George Ames.
Finnegan Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 A giant Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz !!!
Tempwan Yierban Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 The Vaz's would come from miles around to see that. Keith would anyway. Alternatively, what about a russian doll kind of thing Ian Marshall being the outer doll and although centre back-cum (teehee)-strikers inside him (teehee) - Steve Walsh, Matt Elliott, etc. You could just build Ian Marshall and claim the others were in there (money and effort saver) Thinking about it, Ian Marshall would probably just stand there incredibly still for 8 cans of strong lager, some faggots and a fiver every day.
StanSP Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 As if anyone would seriously want a huge Maggie T there. Fvck off George. There are very few people who nearly everyone would agree on as being a statue - people like Princess Diana, Mother Teresa, Gandhi etc etc... Not everyone is going to agree on one particular person, so I suggest having depicting a quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. Signifies the fox being associated with Leicester. Sorted. How about just have the supermarket there and put the other amount of money to better use?
Guest MattP Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 A giant Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz Actually funny that.
broughtonblue Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 A giant Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz holding in his upturned palm a smaller Keith Vaz think it would topple over sideways!
Tempwan Yierban Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 think it would topple over sideways! There would be a lean involved. He'd be leaning on a candy cane walking stick. Also, this would be properly engineered by people who know what they're doing. I'm just the ideas man. I like the realisation of this Vaz dream to others.
Captain... Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 It shouldn't be of a person, if we want something to compare to the Angel of the North it needs to be symbolic and inclusive, not personal and divisive, I mean Thatcher for fvcks sake, it would increase tourism as thousands flock to Leicester to piss on it. I would like to see something big and bold and simple, it doesn't have to have meaning, because we will give it meaning, think of the Washington Monument, it is just a big long block of stone with a point on top, but it has gained iconic status.
Tempwan Yierban Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 In seriousness, in should be a massive fox. The biggest bronze fox ever constructed. I know that would cost more than £70,000 but as a taxpayer, I'm happy for £10,000,000 of public money to go towards it.
Zingari Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 One of those old fashioned buildings that makes things and employs people would look quite nice there . I forget what they're called now.
jonthefox Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 Melton road?................A giant turd?. In seriousness, in should be a massive fox. The biggest bronze fox ever constructed. I know that would cost more than £70,000 but as a taxpayer, I'm happy for £10,000,000 of public money to go towards it. There should be one of them outside the ground.
Webbo Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 Melton road?................A giant turd?. Have a care, I lived half my life around there.
Zingari Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 Have a care, I lived half my life around there. Presumably it was the first half and you've chosen to live the other half not there ?
FoxesAreBlue Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 Haven't they already made some sort of giant web/net sculpture that spans the motorway somewhere? I remember seeing it in the Mercury and that was also described as "our angel of the north"? Did it even get made?
Guest Bilo Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 A bigger version of this bad boy? Somehow I think a 50ft knob fountain complete with bronze bellend would offend less than a statue of Maggie.
Zingari Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 i believe you've posted that bronze phallic picture on numerous occasions now Bilo. Is there something you'd like to get off your chest?
davieG Posted 12 April 2013 Author Posted 12 April 2013 A bigger version of this bad boy? Somehow I think a 50ft knob fountain complete with bronze bellend would offend less than a statue of Maggie. Nah we don't want one of Vaz. i believe you've posted that bronze phallic picture on numerous occasions now Bilo. Is there something you'd like to get off your chest? Yes Bilo, spit it out! Haven't they already made some sort of giant web/net sculpture that spans the motorway somewhere? I remember seeing it in the Mercury and that was also described as "our angel of the north"? Did it even get made? It never got built it was just pie in the sky.
FoxesAreBlue Posted 12 April 2013 Posted 12 April 2013 It never got built it was just pie in the sky. Not surprised, it was a bit naff! I hope this statue will be something to be proud of but I'm sure that by TRYING to make and Angel of the Midlands (or whatever) most people will just be indifferent to it. The AotN is now simply a symbol of Necastle, of we had our own 'Angel', of what ever shape, would it symbolise Leicester? I think that it wouldn't feel like it was ours. We only have it because they have one sort of thing. For something to be truly "Leicestershire-ian" somebody would have to just do it. Rather than make a big competition of it. The result of which people will only argue over anyway! Does this make sense or am I waffling?
Captain... Posted 13 April 2013 Posted 13 April 2013 Not surprised, it was a bit naff! I hope this statue will be something to be proud of but I'm sure that by TRYING to make and Angel of the Midlands (or whatever) most people will just be indifferent to it. The AotN is now simply a symbol of Necastle, of we had our own 'Angel', of what ever shape, would it symbolise Leicester? I think that it wouldn't feel like it was ours. We only have it because they have one sort of thing. For something to be truly "Leicestershire-ian" somebody would have to just do it. Rather than make a big competition of it. The result of which people will only argue over anyway! Does this make sense or am I waffling? I know what you mean, I think, it is similar to what I was trying to say, I think, that we attach too much symbolism and importance at the start of the project then it will fail, but we just build a cool statute that people like then the meaning will come, if it something that can light up and stand out during Diwali and Christmas then association will come with that, but if you try and force it people will argue and complain. You try and make it a symbol of multiculturality, people will complain, or say that their culture is under represented, the more meaning you put on it, the more chance of upsetting people. Something like this, but obviously not this as it is taken: Big simple, and that could come to represent Leicester going forward.
flowwolf Posted 13 April 2013 Posted 13 April 2013 A bigger version of this bad boy? Somehow I think a 50ft knob fountain complete with bronze bellend would offend less than a statue of Maggie. Only if it could be officially opened by Bigjohnsteader with one of his tootsies to try it on for size.
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