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Mixed response over corgi memorial to late Queen

Listen on BBC Sounds: The two corgi sculptures at Walsall Arboretum were made from cast metal

Two corgi sculptures unveiled to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II have generated a mixed reaction.

Facebook users questioned the £35,000 additions to Walsall Arboretum.

Others welcomed the sculptures, which stand on plinths incorporating water bowls for dogs.

Walsall Council leader Garry Perry said the statues were funded by last year's budget and had no additional financial strain on the authority, which wanted to deliver "something of real significance"

The late Queen attended the arboretum in 1962 on a visit to Walsall.

The arboretum celebrates 150 years as a public park in 2024 and comprises 170 acres of green space.

The sculptures were unveiled on Saturday and when the BBC visited on Tuesday, real dogs were drinking from the bowls and barking at the artwork.

Two corgi sculptures sit atop plinths with dog water bowls at the bottom, the plinths are surrounded by plants. They are in a grassy area with some small trees and shrubs sitting in front of a metal fence in the background
Each corgi sculpture stands on a plinth incorporating a water bowl for dogs

On Facebook one woman said: "I could perhaps understand a statue of the late Queen, but her dogs?

"Spending on anything like this when services are being cut is ridiculous."

A man asked: "Have they really not got anything better to spend people's money on?"

Another woman said: "Could have put that money to animal shelters and rescues that [are] full and not coping."

Two women, one on the left wearing glasses and holding an umbrella, with one on the in a black and grey coat
Joanne Pullen (left) and Vicky Haycock both welcomed the new additions

Joanne Pullen, who was visiting the arboretum, said she thought they were "wonderful", adding that they "just brighten up the place and remind us of the Queen."

Another visitor, Arthur Tunnicliffe, said: "I think it's a good service to prove how much we thought of the last Queen.

"We welcome her with open arms into our lovely tree-lined arboretum where her dogs can always look down on us."

Arthur Tunnicliffe carrying an umbrella and wearing a coat
Arthur Tunnicliffe said the corgis were "absolutely wonderful"

On Tuesday, Perry said: "The budget that was allocated was funded entirely from our existing business unit budgets.

"That actually was funded and provided for in last year's budget setting process with no additional financial strain on the council".

Perry said the council was "very proud" of the way it managed its finances, but it also wanted to deliver something that was of "real significance to Walsall, keeping the pound within the borough, that's why local artists were chosen".

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