‘Super cute’ or ‘waste of taxpayers’ money’? Readers have their say on new Spalding animal sculptures

The addition of animal sculptures in the town centre has created a strong reaction from shoppers and residents.

Spalding and District Civic Society unveiled the sculptures of Lincoln Red Cattle and Lincoln Long Wool Sheep during a special event on Saturday as part of its MARK-IT trail to celebrate the town’s agricultural heritage.

The statues were funded by a £43,000 grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is allocated by the Government.

The Graeme Mitcheson sculptures have been installed close to the areas which used to host the town’s livestock markets in Sheep Market and New Road.

Since pictures from the grand unveiling appeared on our Facebook page, a number of readers have given their view of the sculptures.

While there were some readers questioned if this was a good use of public money but there were a few positive notes among the near 200 comments.

Nigel Chapman posted on our Facebook page: “The statues look good and have sparked interest. Difficult to say the town looks a dump and then lambast an attempt to add something different to the public realm. Are there plaques to inform people of the animals' significance?”

But Dave Fosdyke has branded them as ‘yet another waste of money’ while Jack Neal suggested using the statues on the closed lanes on the new McDonald’s roundabout.

Dave Barfoot, in a debate with Transported’s Nick Jones, shared his anger at the use of public money on the statues.

David Barfoot: “It still results in money being wasted, use it where it's more required. Walk through the centre of the town, the place is run down. Make rates or rates cheaper for the people who are trying to run businesses in a rundown centre. I am just used to being disappointed in the way South Holland (The Forgotten County) is being run, from top to bottom.”

One point made by a number of people is the use of public money on sculptures when things like roads, schools and the NHS are in need of help. Organisers have stressed that this money could not have been used on those things.

Greg Weedon posted: “Maybe this money should be spent on policing or education or other things lacking in Spalding. I'm sure the funds for this vanity project by our great and good would be far better if used for the good of the people, not some stupid stone sheep.”

The £43,000 cost has shocked Debbie Pearson.

She posted: “It would be a lot better if they spend it on having back the Johnson Water Fountain there.”

The fountain has been installed on one of the greens in Ayscoughfee gardens.

Peter Norris posted: “Why are the people of Spalding so negative? I love going to towns that have different things to see, and it represents the towns history. Personally I love them.”

Sarah Horne is a fan.

She said: “I think they’re super cute. A nice little addition to brighten the town up a bit. There are some real misery guts on Facebook, not happy unless they’re complaining. Id like one in my garden!”

What do you think? Post a comment below…

Sammie Gargett James added: “They look great, lots of people stopping to look and take photos.”