The date is confirmed at Saturday 23 May 2009 at 14:00.
To celebrate George Formby’s 105th Birthday Anniversary, the team at Grand Arcade, Wigan will be relocating the commemorative statue to a more popular and visible area within the centre. This gives all visitors and the community of Wigan a chance to further enjoy the Wigan legend. The move will coincide with George’s birthday on 26th May 2009, with an envisaged move date of Saturday 23rd May.
The current location of the statue is in Grand Arcade’s New Lanes, by the Millgate entrance from Concert Square. It will be moved to the central area adjacent to the Grand Arcade Customer Service Desk. Also a brand new commemorative plaque will be placed next to the new location.
The bronzed statue of George Formby was placed in its present area of Grand Arcade during the centre’s opening year of 2007.
John Sanson, Grand Arcade Centre Manager said, ‘As a lifelong George Formby fan, I am delighted to be making this announcement in regards to the move of the commemorative statue on George’s birthday – it’ll be a celebration for the community of Grand Arcade and George Formby fans alike.’
Quote from Gerry Mawdsley, the Wigan born President of the George Formby Society said, ‘ George has been in a few tight spots during his film career, at the end he always managed to win the day. It looks like he has come out on top again, thanks to John Sanson and his colleagues at Grand Arcade and Modus. When we asked Modus in 2008 if there was a chance of moving him, we were delighted when they agreed. I am sure lots of people in Wigan will applaud this wonderful news.’
In conjunction with the move of the George Formby statue, Grand Arcade are launching a competition to invite the community of Wigan to design and send George birthday cards for his 105th birthday. The best cards will be displayed by the statue during his birthday period and a winning prize will be on offer.
For more information, please contact:
Janet Monks, PR Manager
Shoppertainment
George Formby born in Westminster St, Wigan in 1904, entertained an estimated THREE MILLION Allied Servicemen and women during World War II throughout Europe and the Middle East. During his career he made 22 films and over 350 records he was also quite popular in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
George Formby was quite literally the legend of Wigan.