Council blasted for blowing £35,000 of public cash on corgi statues

by · Mail Online

They might forever be associated with the late Queen, but a pair of giant corgis commissioned in her memory have been unveiled to a distinctly lukewarm reaction.

The £35,000 artwork, which feature water bowls at the base of the cast metal dogs' plinths, were revealed at Walsall Arboretum as it celebrates its 150th anniversary.

But the 4.5ft high, 5ft-long sculptures have set tongues rather than tails wagging, with some people criticising Walsall Council over its decision to spend a five-figure sum on the installation. The authority is aiming to save £20m this year and has raised council tax by 4.99 per cent.

Some dogs have been observed barking at the artwork – possibly in fright, while others have been seen making use of the water bowls.

The underwhelming reaction to the statues comes weeks after a new sculpture in Northern Ireland of the Queen in a headscarf – with corgis at her feet - was likened to comedy character Mrs Doubtfire.

A pair of giant corgis commissioned in memory of Queen Elizabeth have been unveiled to a distinctly lukewarm reaction
The £35,000 artwork, which feature water bowls at the base of the cast metal dogs' plinths, were revealed at Walsall Arboretum last month
A group of passersby appear unimpressed with the new 4.5ft high, 5ft-long sculptures

Susan Rowledge, from Wolverhampton, said of the corgis: 'I could perhaps understand a statue of the late Queen, but her dogs?

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'Spending on anything like this when services are being cut is ridiculous.'

Another Facebook user asked: 'Have they really not got anything better to spend people's money on?', while others branded the sculptures 'an absolute waste of money'.

Walsall Council leader Garry Perry said the statues were funded by last year's budget and had no additional financial strain on the authority, which wanted to deliver 'something of real significance'.

The late Queen attended the arboretum in 1962 on her first official visit to Walsall as monarch.

Mr Perry, who has owned five corgis himself, said: 'We've been planning this ever since the death of the late Queen and we wanted to have a fitting tribute to her life and her service to the country and this is what came from that.

'She was very much a lover of her royal dogs and we felt that that lends itself well to our green spaces, particularly at the Arboretum.'

The sculptures were unveiled on Saturday and visitors to the arboretum today gave the corgis a mixed reception.

A new sculpture in Northern Ireland of the Queen in a headscarf – with corgis at her feet - was likened to comedy character Mrs Doubtfire
Janet Martin (left) and Jacky Fenton (right) pose with the new statues at Walsall Arboretum which is  celebrating its 150th anniversary
The artwork has prompted a mixed reaction from the canine world as well with some dogs observed barking at the artwork

Kath Johnson, aged in her seventies, said: 'I like the idea of the bowls for dogs to drink from but I think the sculptures are a waste of money, if I'm honest.

'It's not as if the Council has money to spare.

'The funds could have gone on something for the community like a children's day centre.

'I know dog owners like the sculptures but people I have spoken to have not reacted positively.'

But some locals appreciated the new installation.

Heating engineer John Hogg, 68, walking his son's dog, Lola, said: 'I like them (the corgis) and so do a lot of the people I have spoken to.

'And it's not as if they cost a lot, money-wise, in an area with what, 200,000 council tax-payers.

'It's better than not doing anything in the Queen's memory.'

Local businessman Kevan Foster, who owns a business making bridles, reins and other equipment said to have been used by the royal household, said he 'supports anything that pays tribute to the late Queen'.

Mr Foster, a Staffordshire bull terrier owner, said: 'The sculptures have such a personal connection to her.

'She was always associated with her corgis. What better way than sculptures of her favourite dogs in a place loved by dog walkers?'

The sculptures were created by Julie Edwards and Ron Thompson of Walsall-based arts partnership Planet Art
Their surfaces feature carved flowers and leaves of plants and trees that can be found in the Arboretum
The patterns also include a rose for England, a shamrock for Northern Ireland, a daffodil for Wales and a thistle for Scotland

The 67-year-old added: 'I would make and repair equipment for her horses - and I'm told her favourite pony, Emma, was kitted out in one of my bridles at the Queen's State funeral'.

The sculptures were created by Julie Edwards and Ron Thompson of Walsall-based arts partnership Planet Art. 

Their surfaces feature carved flowers and leaves of plants and trees that can be found in the Arboretum. 

The patterns also reflect King Charles III's reign by including a rose for England, a shamrock for Northern Ireland, a daffodil for Wales and a thistle for Scotland, all motifs used for the King's coronation.

The 170-acre park, which is a stone's throw from the town centre, was built on the site of limestone mines which were active until 1835.

Last month, the Mail told how a bronze sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II standing next to a sculpture of Prince Philip and with two Corgis at their feet had prompted derision on social media.

One user said of the sculpture at Castle Antrim Gardens that the Queen looked like Robin Williams's character in the 1993 film Mrs Doubtfire.

Tory-run Walsall Council has set out £20.10m of savings in its 2024/25 budget, to be delivered through 'improved ways of working' including increased use of technology.