Bury town planners agree to bronze tribute

A statue to honour Victoria Wood is to be erected close to Bury library, the local council has agreed.

Town planners last night agreed to redevelop Library Gardens, removing a redundant fountain and installing a 2m (6ft) high bronze statue of the comedian on a stone plinth.

Last year, a letter from the comedian went on display revealing that she smuggled books out of the library as a child because she was too shy to become a member

The tribute is being designed by Graham Ibbeson, who previously said: ‘I got the particular pose from watching An Audience With Victoria Wood which aired in 1988. I’ve tried to show her enjoying the applause, and the laughter.’

Work should begin on installing the statue later this year.

It is being erected with the blessing of Wood's family and literary estate. More than £20,000 has been raised towards its cost by public donation.

Ibbeson’s other work include the statue of Eric Morecambe in the Lancashire resort he took his stage name from; Laurel and Hardy in Stan Laurel's home town of Ulverston; and Les Dawson in Lytham St Anne’s.

Wood died in April 2016 at the age of 62 from cancer.

Published: 25 Jan 2019