Monuments of legacy: Birmingham's influential figures

National World - LocalTV

Birmingham is a city steeped in history, beautifully captured in its numerous statues. Join us today as we explore the stories behind some of these remarkable iconic figures immortalised in bronze and stone around the city of Birmingham.

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00:00First up, the Golden Buoys in Centenary Square. This statue commemorates Matthew Bolton, James

00:07Watt and William Murdoch, three titans of the Industrial Revolution. The gilded bronze

00:13statue designed by William Boyle and Raymond Forbes Kings was unveiled in 1956 and serves

00:20as a testament to Birmingham's pivotal role in advancing the steam engine technology that

00:25fuelled the industrial age. Next we have the statue of Admiral Horatio Nelson. Located

00:31near the Bullring shopping centre, this piece by Richard Westmacott was originally erected

00:36in the early 19th century. The statue not only celebrates Nelson's naval victories but

00:42also holds Grade II listed status since 1952. Moving on to the beloved comedian Tony Hancock,

00:50whose statue stands prominently in Old Square. Born in Hall Green, Hancock captivates audiences

00:56with his radio and TV show Hancock's Half Hour during the 50s and 60s. Unveiled in 1996,

01:03this statue ensures that his comedic legacy and influence remains alive in the hearts

01:09of Birmingham's residents. Also in Chamberlain Square we find the Birmingham Man, a powerful

01:14testament to the city's first MP, Thomas Atwood. The sculpture, funded by his great-great-granddaughter

01:21Priscilla Mitchell, is an allegorical piece that emphasises Atwood's significant role

01:26as a reformer of democracy and public oration. The scattered bronze papers and the soapbox

01:32symbolise his accessible approach to politics and the enduring impact of his ideas. Lastly,

01:39we have A Real Birmingham Family by Gillian Waring. This modern statue depicts sisters

01:45Roma and Emma Jones, along with their children. Unveiled outside the Library of Birmingham

01:50in 2014, this bronze sculpture celebrates the diversity and evolving concept of family

01:57in today's Birmingham.

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