Mixed reaction to Boscombe's new sculptures

9:30am Thursday 29th July 2010 in News By Steven Smith

TALL ORDER: Urban Beach waitress Holly Brierley looks up at the sculpture outside the hotel in Argyll Road TALL ORDER: Urban Beach waitress Holly Brierley looks up at the sculpture outside the hotel in Argyll Road

THE first three pieces in a series of public sculptures have been installed in Boscombe – to mixed reviews.

They will form the area’s first arts trail and the designs were created by Dorset artist Andy Kirkby, who worked from ideas put forward by residents of Sea Road and Undercliff Road.

All seven sculptures, many of which will have a blue glow at night, are linked through colour, a gilded rope feature and materials including bronze, copper and cast iron.

The rope feature is intended to lead people towards the next piece of art along Sea Road and each has a marine theme.

Cllr Anne Filer, Bournemouth’s cabinet member for leisure, said: “This is an exciting project which has really engaged the local community.”

Like most pieces of art, the sculptures have met with a host of different reactions.

Resident Linda Sheppard said: “I love every one of the fun designs and I think they will inspire and entertain passers by.”

And Mark Cribb, who runs Urban Beach, said: “The arts trail is a fantastic way of linking the beautiful recent improvements on the seafront with the high street.”

San Remo Towers resident Jean Jackman said: “I wonder how long it’ll be before it’s vandalised?”

The £74,000 trail was funded by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment as part of the council’s cultural regeneration project for Boscombe and should be completed by September 30.

Comments(42)

Nickolai says...
9:35am Thu 29 Jul 10

“The arts trail is a fantastic way of linking the beautiful recent improvements on the seafront with the high street.”

Yes, travel from the delights of the beach to thescum-infested cackhole that is Boscum High street - marvellous.

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McVICAR says...
9:43am Thu 29 Jul 10

£74,000, your'e having a laugh, the only thing these will provide is scrap value for the Bos'vegas elite to escalate their drugs deals, what a waste of perfectly good money

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Mediclogan5 says...
10:19am Thu 29 Jul 10

£74,000 for what? Mindless waste of good money being ploughed into an already failed mindless waste of public money to the tune of over £3 million. What is the council thinking?...Oh wait they don't think ..just spend.

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Capt. Ahab (ret.) says...
10:28am Thu 29 Jul 10

Ahoy Brethren,
That not be a sculpture, that be one of Peapods discarded anchors.

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Glashen says...
10:41am Thu 29 Jul 10

Wholly predictable responses so far, this money is not from the council tax payer but funded from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.
-
If Boscombe hadn't used it for this public art somewhere would have benefited so lets enjoy it even if we don't immediately understand it.
-
Frankly awards like this from Quango's are going to be very thin on the ground from now on.

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Morgan Leadbitter says...
11:09am Thu 29 Jul 10

Glashen wrote:
Wholly predictable responses so far, this money is not from the council tax payer but funded from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. - If Boscombe hadn't used it for this public art somewhere would have benefited so lets enjoy it even if we don't immediately understand it. - Frankly awards like this from Quango's are going to be very thin on the ground from now on.
Good on you Glashen, well said. For many, any money (even if it does not cost the tax payer a bean) on this form of art will always be seen as a waste.
Boscombe has good elements and not so good, including people. The only real failure will be when we stop trying to improve it.

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Boscombebiz says...
11:26am Thu 29 Jul 10

I live at the bottom of Sea Road and think these sculptures are amazing! I was very sceptical until I saw them and think they blend in so well with what is happening in Boscombe. As for the remarks above, get a life. Boscombe is thriving and the town centre is booming right now.

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McVICAR says...
11:34am Thu 29 Jul 10

Glashen wrote:
Wholly predictable responses so far, this money is not from the council tax payer but funded from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.
-
If Boscombe hadn't used it for this public art somewhere would have benefited so lets enjoy it even if we don't immediately understand it.
-
Frankly awards like this from Quango's are going to be very thin on the ground from now on.
Just because its not from council tax payers money does not mean its money well spent.
£74,000 for this is really gonna put Boscombe on the map, I can see all the tourists rushing to get a look at these heaps of scrap metal.
I suppose they could be used as hangers for all the surfers to leave their wetsuits when they leave Boscombe laughing.

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apritchard says...
11:48am Thu 29 Jul 10

"Good on you Glashen, well said. For many, any money (even if it does not cost the tax payer a bean) on this form of art will always be seen as a waste"

And just where do you think that the money that the CABE gives away (for such rubbish) comes from?
Here is a multiple choice question:
(a) it grows on trees
(b) an alchemist made gold for CABE
(c) from the UK tax payers

All quangos are funded by the UK taxpayer (or from the EU, which effectively means the same thing), so we are still paying for this 'sculpture'.

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Gastines says...
12:01pm Thu 29 Jul 10

I suppose one day someone will realise that there is an abundance of talent at the local Art College and University. I expect a prize and a donation would have brought forth some imaginative ideas. I just hope some money will now be forthcoming from someone,Quango or Council to clean the place up!! On a trip this week we ventured from Southbourne through Pokesdown and Boscombe to the Lansdowne.Good grief what a dirty,scruffy state.Not only the roads and pavements but the shop fronts.Does anyone in the area know how to use a broom or a bucket of soapy water?? Perhaps the Offenders on Community Service could be put to some good for the Community's sake? Bournemouth in Bloom should venture off the main tourist route perhaps?

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Glashen says...
12:15pm Thu 29 Jul 10

apritchard wrote:
"Good on you Glashen, well said. For many, any money (even if it does not cost the tax payer a bean) on this form of art will always be seen as a waste"

And just where do you think that the money that the CABE gives away (for such rubbish) comes from?
Here is a multiple choice question:
(a) it grows on trees
(b) an alchemist made gold for CABE
(c) from the UK tax payers

All quangos are funded by the UK taxpayer (or from the EU, which effectively means the same thing), so we are still paying for this 'sculpture'.
I never said it wasn't public money only that if it hadn't been spent in Boscombe it would have gone somewhere else. All those who want a end to this sort of funding are getting their wish, but maybe a little public art isn't such a bad thing in these materialistic times.

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MICHAELJCARPENTER2003@YAHOO.CO.UK says...
12:38pm Thu 29 Jul 10

WHEN WILL THEY SPEND MONEY ON BOSCOMBE PRECINT INSTEAD OF THE SEA ROAD AREA?
ALSO WHEN WILL THE POLICE STOP THE CYCLIST'S IN THE PRECINT, AS ON MARKET DAYS YOU STILL GET IDIOTS RIDING THEIR BIKES AT SPEED WHILST TRY TO WEAVE INBETWEEN SHOPPERS.

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TinyLegacy says...
12:44pm Thu 29 Jul 10

MICHAELJCARPENTER200
3@YAHOO.CO.UK wrote:
WHEN WILL THEY SPEND MONEY ON BOSCOMBE PRECINT INSTEAD OF THE SEA ROAD AREA? ALSO WHEN WILL THE POLICE STOP THE CYCLIST'S IN THE PRECINT, AS ON MARKET DAYS YOU STILL GET IDIOTS RIDING THEIR BIKES AT SPEED WHILST TRY TO WEAVE INBETWEEN SHOPPERS.
Because its more fun. Walk in a zig-zag motion when a cyclist comes riding toward you to add spice. Oh, and well done on the art and stuff.

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roysses says...
1:04pm Thu 29 Jul 10

Don't moan here aboout the state of the precint. Instead email the man who is responsible for it being cleaned seven days a week. I and others who get apalled by the filth left by residents and visitors write to him at least once a week.

If you all do the same, he will get the message more quickly. Contact him at larry.austin@bournem
outh.gov.uk

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BmthNewshound says...
1:10pm Thu 29 Jul 10

It would have been a much better idea if the sculptures had been put up in the town centre or lower gardens where they could have been enjoyed by a larger number of people.
.
Lets hope that these do not become a magnet for vandals

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Huey says...
2:12pm Thu 29 Jul 10

Boscombebiz wrote:
I live at the bottom of Sea Road and think these sculptures are amazing! I was very sceptical until I saw them and think they blend in so well with what is happening in Boscombe. As for the remarks above, get a life. Boscombe is thriving and the town centre is booming right now.
Well said

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Morgan Leadbitter says...
2:20pm Thu 29 Jul 10

apritchard wrote:
"Good on you Glashen, well said. For many, any money (even if it does not cost the tax payer a bean) on this form of art will always be seen as a waste" And just where do you think that the money that the CABE gives away (for such rubbish) comes from? Here is a multiple choice question: (a) it grows on trees (b) an alchemist made gold for CABE (c) from the UK tax payers All quangos are funded by the UK taxpayer (or from the EU, which effectively means the same thing), so we are still paying for this 'sculpture'.
Fundamentally I suppose it comes down to if you think tax payers money (in whatever diluted form it may be) should be spent on public art. Many think it should and many think not. If you absolutely loved what you saw, would it worth 74k? Or is it a case of point blank, we just should not do it?

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Markcribb says...
2:23pm Thu 29 Jul 10

Bocombe really does bring out some great passion. Hopefully it's hard for all to deny the incredible difference that has been made in Boscombe in the last two years.

Bit by bit, little by little, it keeps improving and this arts trail is just one more stage in the plethora of positive things that are really reinvigorating the town and bringing it back to its former glory.

It won't be finished overnight, but there is much happening week in week out in both the private and public sector.

Stand proud Boscombe residents, enjoy your new found civic pride and now even soak up a bit of art on route from your Victorian high street to your stunning beach. I for one love working and living here and being part of the local community.

All the best.

Mark.

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WOC says...
2:46pm Thu 29 Jul 10

I'd rather my tax money was spent on this than going towards benefit grabbers sitting on their ars*s doing nothing while I and many others work for a living!!!!

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boracay says...
2:55pm Thu 29 Jul 10

Boscombe will alway's be a Scumbag/Dosser's/Dru
g addict's/Alcaholic's jungle even if the Bournemouth Council or any-other **** Art's College or Jump't up do gooder Association make 18 Carat Gold Statu of the Man who invented the Surf Reaf at Boscombe Beach, with Diamond encrusted eye's and buttons on it.

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Boscombebiz says...
3:00pm Thu 29 Jul 10

boracay wrote:
Boscombe will alway's be a Scumbag/Dosser's/Dru

g addict's/Alcaholic's jungle even if the Bournemouth Council or any-other **** Art's College or Jump't up do gooder Association make 18 Carat Gold Statu of the Man who invented the Surf Reaf at Boscombe Beach, with Diamond encrusted eye's and buttons on it.
Stunning use of the English Language and spelling.

Well said Mark Cribb though, someone who puts his money where his mouth is and makes a difference in Boscombe. We are all proud of what you have achieved here.

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4444kate says...
3:30pm Thu 29 Jul 10

Huey wrote:
Boscombebiz wrote: I live at the bottom of Sea Road and think these sculptures are amazing! I was very sceptical until I saw them and think they blend in so well with what is happening in Boscombe. As for the remarks above, get a life. Boscombe is thriving and the town centre is booming right now.
Well said
I agree well said! Boscombe is really quite a nice place to go out in the evenings now. So Many nice bars on the seafront and walking towards the sea front.

People always talk about making the area nicer and now the council are everyone still complains....

A few years ago i would never have lived in Boscombe but it has improved so much. I live there now and its my favourite place I've ever lived. I hope they carry on developing the area and encourage people to buy property and build less studio flats, which often get filled by people up to no good...

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caz-caz says...
4:18pm Thu 29 Jul 10

Boscombebiz wrote:
boracay wrote: Boscombe will alway's be a Scumbag/Dosser's/Dru g addict's/Alcaholic's jungle even if the Bournemouth Council or any-other **** Art's College or Jump't up do gooder Association make 18 Carat Gold Statu of the Man who invented the Surf Reaf at Boscombe Beach, with Diamond encrusted eye's and buttons on it.
Stunning use of the English Language and spelling. Well said Mark Cribb though, someone who puts his money where his mouth is and makes a difference in Boscombe. We are all proud of what you have achieved here.
mark cribb has a reason to promote boscombe ,he has a business there and fair play he had the foresight to see the development ahead and backed it with cash ,for him successfully. however its all a bit of a pigs ear and the improvements have actually been for the purpose of drawing further investment into the area. well with a failed surf reef,a lot of unsold prestige beach pods and a none too special block of flats it really isnt going to happen .there was a time when councillors were falling over themselves to be assossciated with it - but theyve gone a bit quiet now . as for improvements north of owls road ,I work there too and i am not seeing it ,in fact i would say the drugs situation is totally out of control .ordinary people are seeing it ,and trully seeing it but it is not being clamped down on by the police .can that area of boscombe really be improved ? i have my doubts and its this strange mix of haves and havenots that make me think its a novelty now but will end in tears especially with government funding cutbacks - sculptures ! its all a matter of taste ,though make no mistake that we as taxpayers are funding it this money wasnt gifted and in these times it could be put to better use

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denisd says...
4:37pm Thu 29 Jul 10

When I see the group of drunkards in Hawkwood Road car park drinking their morning medicines ('cos they're not allowed to drink it in the precinct or it might get siezed by a stray police officer), I realise how Boscombe has improved.

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PierOne says...
4:58pm Thu 29 Jul 10

In particular the statue/sculpture outside Urban Reef of the diving helmet with 7 ft tentacles is bizarre. I am all for improving the area, arts installations - a good idea, perhaps, but it is truly truly hideous.

Not knocking the idea but the application of the actual 'art' leaves a lot to be desired...

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Gary Sherborne says...
6:48pm Thu 29 Jul 10

CABE money in Boscombe is miss-managed in lots of ways, just like millions before it but never the less at least we have something to show for these 74k. Like Pierone, for me these particular sculptures "leaves a lot to be desired". but thats art. Boscombe has such potential, our little seaside town could become such a thriving colorful destination. I believe that this will only happen though when something is done about the over concentration of drug and alcohol treatment facilities on and around Walpole Rd. The people who attend these abstainence based recovery programes are all very well and good whilst committed, but many many of these people fall out from recovery and then linger around making problems. Promoting our future and making pretty the built environment will count for nothing until we sort out the drugs and alcohol issue.

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fedupwithjobsworths says...
7:19pm Thu 29 Jul 10

Morgan Leadbitter wrote:
Glashen wrote: Wholly predictable responses so far, this money is not from the council tax payer but funded from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. - If Boscombe hadn't used it for this public art somewhere would have benefited so lets enjoy it even if we don't immediately understand it. - Frankly awards like this from Quango's are going to be very thin on the ground from now on.
Good on you Glashen, well said. For many, any money (even if it does not cost the tax payer a bean) on this form of art will always be seen as a waste. Boscombe has good elements and not so good, including people. The only real failure will be when we stop trying to improve it.
Problem is Morgan Leadbitter - the "Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment" is funded by the taxpayer, so it's £74K of our taxes which could have been better spent on the needy.

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MikeFrench says...
7:37pm Thu 29 Jul 10

It's no good moaning about the 74k - that has already been spent.
Boscombe has already got enough beauty in the buildings around, but not at eye level.
Lokk above the tatty shop fronts and you will find some amazing architecture and historical landmarks that get sadly neglected and missed by those who do not see that it is there.
Mind you, do not look up while walking or you will be bound to tread in the dog 'mess', vomit, takeaway remnants or trip over one of the many loose slabs/tiles !!!!

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zagzig says...
9:04pm Thu 29 Jul 10

We saw some of these the other day, I actually kind of liked them but they are a complete waste of money. I think what Boscombe needs is a few thousand gallons of paint, some trees and some interesting shops. It's a complete dump both visually and as far as shopping goes.

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Rally says...
10:20pm Thu 29 Jul 10

Glashen wrote:
Wholly predictable responses so far, this money is not from the council tax payer but funded from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. - If Boscombe hadn't used it for this public art somewhere would have benefited so lets enjoy it even if we don't immediately understand it. - Frankly awards like this from Quango's are going to be very thin on the ground from now on.
CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) received its funding for last year from two main government departments. £4,690,000 from DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) and £6,940,000 from CLG (Communities and Local Government).
Now, where did this £11.63 million come from?
The Council Tax?
Goodness me, no.
It was paid by us Tax Payers.
Oh, well, that's alright, then...
I reckon that spending £74K on what looks like the result of a lightning strike on a scap metal yard borders on the criminal.
NO, wait, I'm being unfair. Some obscure 'artist' made a few bob for himself and at least half-a-dozen people in Boscombe have had their lives enhanced by seeing these metallic what-ever-they-are-s
upposed to-be-or-represent objects, so the money isn't entirely wasted, is it...

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butsybunny says...
10:29pm Thu 29 Jul 10

Boscombe has the potential to become a very beautiful place to spend time... its just a shame that the local Council are a bit too short sighted when looking at the real problems there.. I would like to see further money spent on making the area feel a lot less sinister to be in! and more investment to turn it into a World .. yes, World Class resort! p.s any news on the Disabled Beach Huts??

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The Witch says...
10:54pm Thu 29 Jul 10

On seeing the photo I thought it was an alien asking the young lady 'Take me to your leader'

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s-pb2 says...
11:37pm Thu 29 Jul 10

I think the lady being interviewed got it right! How long before they are vandalised? Usually on a Sunday morning, the residents of Sea Road, wake up to find their flowers pulled up and chucked across the road, for sale signs ripped out and glass and dog mess all over the pavement, so wont be long until 'art works' are likely to get vandalised. Interesting so far they have chosen to site them one opposie a bench full of winos, and the other a drug dealing corner.
.
The more i hear Mark Cribb, the more he sounds like a Conservative Councillor to be. Sadly the vast majority of locals to his places just cant afford to eat there.

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Bob49 says...
12:14am Fri 30 Jul 10

"and the town centre is booming right now."

.

In some far of la la land maybe, but in the real world not. More shops have closed since the reef was declared 'finished'. Go into the Sovereign Centre and count the empty shop units.

.


The street sweepers are now are as rare as buyers for the surfpods and Moneycombe flats. The place becomes tattier by the minute.


.


There are too many who have been making a hefty whack out of renting squalid bedsits at extortionate rates to benefit claimants for too long. Who are the real benefit scroungers there is a moot point.

.


Boscombe is in the state it is because for far too long too much has been taken out and too little put back in. Travel a few hundred yards to where I live in Southbourne and you will often see two mini streetsweepers in the same road,night after night and you will not see a weed anywhere on the roadside.


.


Visit my mate in Boscombe, south of the High Street and it is like a third world shanty town.


.


Boscombe needs people who want to make something of it, not those who want to make something out of it.

.

Get rid of the leeches and the body might begin to function again.

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retired lady says...
8:11am Fri 30 Jul 10

If you want to see a nice sculpture go and look outside the John Lewis store in Branksome. For years Boscombe has been a slummy place and until the drugs problems etc are addressed it always will be. Thank goodness the number 40 yellow bus now means I can get to Bournemouth without having to go into Boscombe.

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Norman Mead says...
9:17am Fri 30 Jul 10

Seeing as we've all (well, we working types anyhow) paid the tax money that goes to fund CABE, we may as well get a bit of it back for the local area while we can. Or would you rather it all be spent in other places?

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Benniestewart says...
10:27am Fri 30 Jul 10

The idea and concept of an Arts Trail
is well intentioned whether or not you
like the sculptures a matter of taste
and opinion
Enough money time energy has been spent on the Boscombe Beach project
To capitalise now on all those resources the Town Council must now concentrate and be as equally committed to preventing any more Drop in Centres, Rehab Units and
swell of low cost housing being built in Boscombe the saturation of these
developments will never allow Boscombe to take its place as it once did as one of the best seaside
resorts in the U.K
The beautiful Gardens leading down to the beach fabulous childrens golf course sports facilities coffee shop
all accredited to the work of the local community
Time is running out for Boscombe
this Town Council must act and must
try and stop the obvious there is absolutely nothing wrong with Boscombe what is wrong has been
the inability of the Council to stop
the concentration of Dropins and Rehabs which have acted as a magnet for the amount of individuals
that so many people are concerned about
Money should not have been spent on the Arts Trail The Boscombe Spa Project will have a short shelf life
Huge sums of money spent will be wasted if the Council does not have the heart or the courage to deal with the social problems in Boscombe caused simply by the density of
Rehabs,Halfway Houses and Drop-ins

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Gary Sherborne says...
11:23am Fri 30 Jul 10

Walking through the precinct last night it was good to see the up lighting that has been attatched to the buildings there. These mood lights are paid for from the CABE budget too

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Taffytim says...
1:56pm Fri 30 Jul 10

Good efforts with the art, it really does give the location a different feel. A feeling that some of us residents actually care about the area and want it to look good.

My hat is off to the hard work that has been invested into getting these pieces installed. Well done.

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Rally says...
1:56pm Fri 30 Jul 10

Norman Mead wrote:
Seeing as we've all (well, we working types anyhow) paid the tax money that goes to fund CABE, we may as well get a bit of it back for the local area while we can. Or would you rather it all be spent in other places?
I've no objection to CABE spending tax payers' money on projects in Boscombe. What I object to is what it spent it on (yet another 'Emporer's New Clothes'/'Mickey Mouse' project).
£74K towards the cost of, say, a family-orientated venue on Boscombe Pier would have been more welcome.

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BournemouthMum says...
2:38pm Mon 2 Aug 10

Huey wrote:
Boscombebiz wrote:
I live at the bottom of Sea Road and think these sculptures are amazing! I was very sceptical until I saw them and think they blend in so well with what is happening in Boscombe. As for the remarks above, get a life. Boscombe is thriving and the town centre is booming right now.
Well said
I agree, well said:)

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MikeFrench says...
9:50am Tue 10 Aug 10

As I walk past all three every day I notice that already - after less than a fortnight - that the Mary Shelley 'feature' (junction of Owls Road/Sea Road) is already showing signs of discolouration thanks to some 'four legged friends'.
So the 74k may have come from a grant, but yet again (as I always ask) who pays for the maintainance/cleanin
g ?
CABE or the local taxpayer ?

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