Tuesday 23 June 2015

*WEYMOUTH* - George III (1738-1820)

Inscription:- "The grateful inhabitants to GEORGE THE THIRD on his entering the 50th year of his REIGN."
Sculptor:- designed by the architect James Hamilton, although the work itself probably carried out by one Mr Sealy who worked for the company Coade and Sealy.
Unveiled:- 1810 (foundation stone laid 1809).
Notes:- Grade I Listed monument; it looks extra shiny/garish as it was given a big makeover in 2008; important enough to have its own Wikipedia page.
Either side of the massive piece of stone which the statue is on, are a unicorn and a lion which both look resplendent and add even more to the garish tone.
Overall:- 6.5/10

Monday 15 June 2015

*WEYMOUTH* - Queen Victoria (1819-1901)

Inscription:- "This memorial erected by public subscription was unveiled by H.R.H. Princess Beatrice (Princess Henry of Battenberg)  October 20th 1902. John Bragg - Mayor. Richard Nicholas Howard - Town Clerk."
Sculptor:- most websites don't mention the sculptor, but seems to be attributed to George Blackall Simonds (1843-1929); made from bronze.
Unveiled:- 1902.
Notes:- Grade II Listed monument; St John's Church is in the background.
Overall:- 7.5/10

Thursday 11 June 2015

*WEYMOUTH* - Sir Henry Edwards (1820-1897)

Had a couple of days in Weymouth which was a fantastic place - one of the best seaside resorts in Britain I've been to. The town is steeped in history so there were quite a few statues dotted around, including this one, which was rather inconveniently placed in the middle of the road (below is a more panoramic view which I found online).
Inscription:- "Erected by public subscription AD 1885 to perpetuate the memory of the public services, munificent charity and private worth of Sir Henry Edwards M.P. one of the representatives of Weymouth & Melcombe-Regis in the House of Commons from 1867 to 1885, when the town ceased to be a parliamentary borough."
Sculptor:- unknown; made from white marble.
Unveiled:- 13th January 1886.
Notes:- situated in Alexandra Gardens on the seafront, the statue was erected during the subject's lifetime.

Overall:- 7/10