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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