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Town's new landmark 'absolutely awful'
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| Colin Spofforth working on the model |
A LIFE size bronze statue of a Victorian market trader is set to become Altrincham's latest landmark.
Planning chiefs have given the go-ahead for the £35,000 artwork by renowned Altrincham sculptor Colin Spofforth to be erected in front of the town hall, on Market Street.
The 2.4m figure will be in a flower bed 1.5m above the street.
Funding has been provided by local businesses and developers and an arts and business Government grant.
The Altrincham Town Centre Partnership, which commissioned the work, hopes it will be the first piece in a sculpture trail through the town centre.
But while most of the planning committee supported the scheme, two members spoke out against it.
Cllr Mike Cornes said: "I think it looks awful, absolutely awful. It is in a very prominent position and is visible from all angles. It is too prominent and ruins the appearance of the town hall."
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Cllr Dan Bunting supported him. But the rest of the committee disagreed and approved the scheme. Cllr David Merrell, the chairman, said: "It looks good, I think it looks amusing."
In the application for planning permission, Mark Rubin, the chairman of the town centre partnership, said: "It is envisaged that the sculpture becomes a permanent landmark and point of interest, and that the sculpture will be the catalyst and centrepiece for a series of artworks which will build a trail' through the area."
While artist Colin has already turned his hand to a number of pieces in the borough, including the crest and the Spirit of New Orleans' sculptures at the Trafford Centre and the Venus Trinity at the Trafford Quays, this is his first venture in Altrincham.
cgriffin@messengergrp.co.uk
1:46pm Monday 18th June 2007
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CommentPosted by: Gumbo, Alty on 2:23pm Mon 18 Jun 07
How about having a statue of the living legend Market Dave?! Check out his myspace site: www.myspace.com/mark
et_dave
How about having a statue of the living legend Market Dave?! Check out his myspace site: www.myspace.com/mark
et_dave
Posted by: kathy clark, altrincham on 4:14pm Mon 18 Jun 07
I think the sculpture is a great idea and marks Altrincham's regeneration. However, we can't ignore our local celebrities can we? Maybe a sculpture could be built of market dave using all the rubbish he collects in his cart???
I think the sculpture is a great idea and marks Altrincham's regeneration. However, we can't ignore our local celebrities can we? Maybe a sculpture could be built of market dave using all the rubbish he collects in his cart???
Posted by: gary, altrincham on 4:17pm Mon 18 Jun 07
respect to market dave the place wouldn't be the same without him.
respect to market dave the place wouldn't be the same without him.
Posted by: Dan, Altrincham on 4:33pm Mon 18 Jun 07
Agreed, a Market Dave statue would be best
Agreed, a Market Dave statue would be best
Posted by: Mark, Timperley on 10:18pm Mon 18 Jun 07
Kathy, Spot on and a great idea, to build a sculpture of market Dave using all the rubbish he collects in his cart. Modern and Historical, even my Kid's know of Market Dave, just like when I was a lad in the 60's & 70's. Come on Altrincham; give us something that my children can tell their kid's about. The people of Altrincham.
Kathy, Spot on and a great idea, to build a sculpture of market Dave using all the rubbish he collects in his cart. Modern and Historical, even my Kid's know of Market Dave, just like when I was a lad in the 60's & 70's. Come on Altrincham; give us something that my children can tell their kid's about. The people of Altrincham.
Posted by: Chris, Altrincham on 11:33am Tue 19 Jun 07
I Agree with the Above a statue of Altrinchams most famous character "Market Dave" is the way to go.
I Agree with the Above a statue of Altrinchams most famous character "Market Dave" is the way to go.
Posted by: maxim, alty on 12:36pm Tue 19 Jun 07
market dave shuould be knighted for his services to alty
market dave shuould be knighted for his services to alty
Posted by: sam, altrincham on 1:26pm Tue 19 Jun 07
market dave is one of altys characters and he deserves recognition for his services to the town.Give us a statue we all know!!Hail Market Dave MBE!
market dave is one of altys characters and he deserves recognition for his services to the town.Give us a statue we all know!!Hail Market Dave MBE!
Posted by: Mathew., Altrincham on 4:02pm Tue 19 Jun 07
[bold]It Should Be Of Market Dave. Everyone Has Seen / Heard / Knows The Man. =][/bold]
It Should Be Of Market Dave. Everyone Has Seen / Heard / Knows The Man. =] Posted by: anon on 4:55pm Tue 19 Jun 07
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaay
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaay
Posted by: Ronan Gallagher, Timperley on 6:46pm Tue 19 Jun 07
Great idea, everyone loves Market Dave. That other statue means nothing.
Great idea, everyone loves Market Dave. That other statue means nothing.
Posted by: joe on 7:42pm Tue 19 Jun 07
looks like market dave's made it on to the forum ;-)
looks like market dave's made it on to the forum ;-)
Posted by: Mark, Timperley on 11:29pm Tue 19 Jun 07
Mark Rubin, the chairman of the town centre partnership, said: "It is envisaged that the sculpture becomes a permanent landmark and point of interest, and that the sculpture will be the catalyst and centrepiece for a series of artworks which will build a trail' through the area."
Ok then so if planning has agreed, then let's see Market Dave(MBE) on the trail...statue No.2.
Mark Rubin, the chairman of the town centre partnership, said: "It is envisaged that the sculpture becomes a permanent landmark and point of interest, and that the sculpture will be the catalyst and centrepiece for a series of artworks which will build a trail' through the area."
Ok then so if planning has agreed, then let's see Market Dave(MBE) on the trail...statue No.2.
Posted by: Angela, Altrincham on 11:52am Thu 21 Jun 07
I'm in full agreement Market Dave has to be statue No 2. He's an Altrincham legend!
I'm in full agreement Market Dave has to be statue No 2. He's an Altrincham legend!
Posted by: Alti Girl, London on 12:40pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Market Dave has been part of Altrincham for as long as I can remember. I see it says on his "My Space" that he's in his 60's - is that right? He doesn't seem to have cnanged a bit from when I remember his as a girl! He should absolutely be the 2nd statue.
Market Dave has been part of Altrincham for as long as I can remember. I see it says on his "My Space" that he's in his 60's - is that right? He doesn't seem to have cnanged a bit from when I remember his as a girl! He should absolutely be the 2nd statue.
Posted by: Bryan Roberts, london (formerly timperley!) on 8:28pm Tue 26 Jun 07
I really think market Dave would be much better; rather than el-tubbo moustachioed fellow in the picture...
I really think market Dave would be much better; rather than el-tubbo moustachioed fellow in the picture...
Posted by: Teresa, Sale on 4:40pm Wed 27 Jun 07
Don't knock it till you see the finished product. Victorian market traders were very vocal and jolly people and this sculpture shows this.
Anyone with doubts go and see the sculptures the artist has done in the Trafford Centre.
Don't knock it till you see the finished product. Victorian market traders were very vocal and jolly people and this sculpture shows this.
Anyone with doubts go and see the sculptures the artist has done in the Trafford Centre.
Posted by: Debs, Altrincham on 10:38am Thu 28 Jun 07
Market trader in a market town - yes I can see the connection...
market trader in a Cheshire Market town holding a fish...that's not so logical...
Market Dave ...now there's a local personality who is instantly recognised...
I don't see why Colin Spofforth couldn't be commissioned to do that one...
Market trader in a market town - yes I can see the connection...
market trader in a Cheshire Market town holding a fish...that's not so logical...
Market Dave ...now there's a local personality who is instantly recognised...
I don't see why Colin Spofforth couldn't be commissioned to do that one...
Posted by: Dave, Timperley on 1:32pm Mon 2 Jul 07
Let Market Dave weigh in statue #1
Let Market Dave weigh in statue #1
Posted by: Tony Spurling, Altrincham on 9:53am Sun 8 Jul 07
[bold]Dave is a man for today. Just think about it. His global footprint is marvellous.
He pushes a cart and he main focus in life is recycling.
What a bloke.[/bold]
Dave is a man for today. Just think about it. His global footprint is marvellous.
He pushes a cart and he main focus in life is recycling.
What a bloke. Posted by: Alti Girl, London on 9:24am Mon 9 Jul 07
Do you think Market Dave will be around for the unveiling of the statue?
Should local people turn up wearing the Market Dave T Shirts I saw on the Altrincham My Space site?
It'd be worth coming home just to see!
Do you think Market Dave will be around for the unveiling of the statue?
Should local people turn up wearing the Market Dave T Shirts I saw on the Altrincham My Space site?
It'd be worth coming home just to see!
Posted by: hannah, altrincham on 8:10pm Thu 26 Jul 07
statue of market dave!
Posted by: Pete, Timperley on 9:35am Mon 8 Oct 07
Anyone any idea where this tubby fellow is? Though he was supposed to be in place by now..
I do agree with everone on here though - Market Dave is the way to go!
Anyone any idea where this tubby fellow is? Though he was supposed to be in place by now..
I do agree with everone on here though - Market Dave is the way to go!
Posted by: Nick on 10:21am Thu 17 Apr 08
Come on Messenger lets take this further and demand a statue of Market Dave. Who else adds as much colour to Altincham. Lets celebrate OUR personalities and move away from the template society and hig street that we are being fed. You only have to look at the new proposed development to see that imagination is seriously missing in Altrincham.
While we are at it we should campaign to have a ceremonial destruction of the much hated Hale Clock, another example of nothing.
Come on Messenger lets take this further and demand a statue of Market Dave. Who else adds as much colour to Altincham. Lets celebrate OUR personalities and move away from the template society and hig street that we are being fed. You only have to look at the new proposed development to see that imagination is seriously missing in Altrincham.
While we are at it we should campaign to have a ceremonial destruction of the much hated Hale Clock, another example of nothing.
Posted by: Jake C, Bowdon on 5:32pm Thu 17 Apr 08
I concurr with the most part of this page. Dave should be recognized as an intergral part of altrincham. Why don't the residents of altrincham pool together and put some money in a pool to cover the costs. I don't think that would be much of a problem considering the affluency of the surrounding areas. Dave for Altrincham!!
I concurr with the most part of this page. Dave should be recognized as an intergral part of altrincham. Why don't the residents of altrincham pool together and put some money in a pool to cover the costs. I don't think that would be much of a problem considering the affluency of the surrounding areas. Dave for Altrincham!!
Posted by: George Cairns alty, alty on 3:38am Sat 19 Apr 08
Clearly a statue of dave would be good, dave is a legend in alty and surroundings!
Clearly a statue of dave would be good, dave is a legend in alty and surroundings!
Posted by: Don, Altrincham on 8:00pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Market Dave should be immortalised - he is an asset to Altrincham - everyone knows him - he is a man of the people!!
Market Dave should be immortalised - he is an asset to Altrincham - everyone knows him - he is a man of the people!!
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