Pro Civitate
To serve
The Column of St George was erected as part of the 1937 celebrations for the coromation of George VI and then re-used for the Pageant of Birmingham in 1938 to celebrate the centenary of the Charter of Birmingham.
The sculptor was Alan Bridgwater (1903-1962) and it was made of wood and plaster. After the celebrations were over The Birmingham Civic Society suggested that the statue of Edward VII be removed from Victoria Sqaure and relocated to the top of Edmund Street at the junction with Easy Row. It further suggested that Queen Victoria be placed in a niche in the Council House and a permanent column of St George be erected from bronze and stone in the middle of the traffic island east of the Town Hall
Although the proposals were met with a positive reaction, the onset of the Second World War and the post war austerity meant that it would never come to pass. The plaster/wooden model was thereafter scrapped.
The Civic Society also suggested demolishing the nasty gothic Victorian Chamberlain Fountain and creating a wide tree lined boulevard focussing on the clock tower of the Art Gallery (Big Brum). This idea forms the basis of Argent plc's development plans for the Central Library today!
If anyone wants to know more about Alan Bridgewater, I can post a brief biography.
The sculptor was Alan Bridgwater (1903-1962) and it was made of wood and plaster. After the celebrations were over The Birmingham Civic Society suggested that the statue of Edward VII be removed from Victoria Sqaure and relocated to the top of Edmund Street at the junction with Easy Row. It further suggested that Queen Victoria be placed in a niche in the Council House and a permanent column of St George be erected from bronze and stone in the middle of the traffic island east of the Town Hall
Although the proposals were met with a positive reaction, the onset of the Second World War and the post war austerity meant that it would never come to pass. The plaster/wooden model was thereafter scrapped.
The Civic Society also suggested demolishing the nasty gothic Victorian Chamberlain Fountain and creating a wide tree lined boulevard focussing on the clock tower of the Art Gallery (Big Brum). This idea forms the basis of Argent plc's development plans for the Central Library today!
If anyone wants to know more about Alan Bridgewater, I can post a brief biography.
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