UK unveils Laurel, Hardy statue

The UK has unveiled a bronze statue of the renowned comedian, Stan Laurel and his comic partner Oliver Hardy in Ulverston, Cumbria. The £60,000 bronze sculpture was unveiled by the 81-year-old British comedian Ken Dodd in front of a crowd including members of the international appreciation society of Laurel and Hardy, 'The Sons of the Desert'. The statue has been placed in the town's County Square where the duo appeared on the balcony of the Coronation Hall during a flying visit in 1947. This is while many art enthusiasts believe the cities will lose their beauty with so much bronze placed everywhere. The Guardian quoted Burlington Magazine editor, Richard Shone as saying that bronze statues are “not artistic” and “occasionally competent”. "There should be a society for the demolition of statues now because, in London especially, it's getting full." Chief executive of the public art think tank Ixia, Jonathan Banks also believes that using too much bronze is a "lazy, unimaginative" and "default" way of commemorating celebrities. The Laurel and Hardy sculptor Graham Ibbeson, however, says, "Some may say there are too many, but it is the will of the people." Stan Laurel (1890-1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892-1957) were among the most popular comedians of the early half of the 20th century and were known for their motion pictures and stage performances throughout America and Europe.