Return of the Goaloids?

Goaloids in 2013

The Goaloids may be returning to Shepherd's Bush Green.  In 2013 we got a new piece of public sculpture, two rotating giant metal cubes, designed to celebrate the sporting history of our neighbourhood.

The Goaloids were always intended to be temporary, and in early 2015 they were removed by the Council.

Now however, our Council appears to be looking to bring the Goaloids back. A planning application submitted by LBHF has been posted at the Council's web site.

According to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, The Goaloids "were designed to commemorate the success of the British Olympic football team which won gold at the 1908 Summer Olympics, held at White City".

They were created by "former Shepherds Bush resident and artist, the late Elliott Brook, and were paid for by the Arts Council England as part of the cultural Olympiad."

The Council apparently had a public consultation last year, and despite the very small response, most people did vote to bring the Goaloids back.  In our view, The Goaloids weren't exactly beautiful, but they were interesting, and little kids loved to play on them, as a sort of mobile climbing frame (though the Council soon posted grumpy notices saying that this was forbidden).

Here at the The Bush Telegraph we think that anything that makes Shepherd's Bush Green more friendly for families and small children must be a good thing.  So we're supporting the return of the Goaloids - as long as kids can play on them.

And for anyone who missed the Goaloids, you can see some video footage at YouTube below:




The Bush Telegraph offers a personal view on life in Shepherd's Bush. If you would like to contribute a story about our neighbourhood, email us at shepherdsbushblog@gmail.com.