Description

WIGAN

SD5806SW MESNES PARK
24-1/6/43 Powell Monument

GV II

Monumental statue. Commemorates Sir Francis Sharp Powell, M.P.
for Wigan; dated 1910 on front plaque; slightly altered.
Sculptor EG Gillick. Grey granite with bronze plaques and
statue. Square plan. Base of 3 wide steps; cubic pedestal with
rectangular bronze plaques in 3 sides, surmounted by a
life-sized statue of Sir Francis pensively seated in a chair,
an overcoat carelessly draped over the back of it. The plaque
attached to the front of the pedestal has raised lettering:
"SIR FRANCIS SHARP POWELL / BARONET. BORN IN WIGAN / 1827.
M.P. FOR HIS NATIVE TOWN / 1857-9 AND 1885-1910. ERECTED / BY
PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION 1910". The side plaques, let into the
pedestal, have bas-relief figures. Monument set in square
enclosure, the corners marked by small granite piers with
bronze caps, from which chains were formerly suspended.
NOTE: all the bronze-work is tarnished green except for one of
Sir Francis's shoes, which is highly polished in consequence
of a local belief that any child may have a secret wish while
holding it.
(Gray AS: Edwardian Architecture: London: 1985-).

Listing NGR: SD5800606306

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26664328

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)