Giant new sculpture put in on the town park however locals can solely see one factor
A giant new obelisk monument installed in a park apparently bears suspicious resemblance to a penis, we’ll let you be the judge.
The structure was intended to resemble Cleopatra’s needle, but the addition of four small spheres at the base has given it an unfortunate phallic appearance. Locals and dog walkers in Betts Park, Penge, south east London, have commented on the monolith’s suggestive silhouette. The finishing touches were added to the pillar on Thursday.
Sam Vale, 42, a local office worker who walks her dog in the park twice daily, said: “I can’t stop shaking my head and laughing at it. An obelisk on the plinth is a bit weird, but fine, I suppose, but it wasn’t a good idea to put balls at the bottom.
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(Image: SWNS)
“They weren’t on the original plan, otherwise I might have politely suggested they be removed. I don’t mind them doing up the park, but I’d rather they spruced up the signs and benches, rather than giving everyone something to gawp at.
“You really couldn’t make it up. Luckily, I can’t see it from my bedroom window, but I know others who can, and they’re less than impressed by the size of it.”
The obelisk, officially named the “Heart of Anerley”, was erected to celebrate 200 years since the foundation of Anerley, an area in the borough of Bromley. The obelisk, which stands nearly 20ft (5.85m) tall, was constructed atop an existing plinth that once held a sundial. It is located in the heart of the historic park, home to the last remaining section of the Croydon Canal.
(Image: SWNS)
The project was spearheaded by local community group Friends of Betts Park, who initially submitted plans last year. During the planning stage, only one local resident voiced their objection to the council. They penned: “What on Earth are they thinking of? The park is an open space of natural beauty in the midst of a concrete jungle.
“The last thing it needs is more concrete imposed on it, never mind the greater environmental damage of producing and transporting a giant bit of concrete to a green open space. Madness.”
Alan Pottinger, Secretary of the Friends of Betts Park, expressed his delight at the completion of the project: “If persons on social media wish to remember the obelisk as phallic then we have achieved our goal of being noticed and remembered.
(Image: ExpressStar)
“Friends of Betts Park are thrilled to have been able to construct this obelisk in Betts Park, Anerley. It’s taken a lot of hard work and years of planning to create a focal point for our tiny town on the very edge of the London Borough of Bromley, overshadowed by the ruins of the Crystal Palace.
“The monument will soon be dedicated as Heart of Anerley with its purpose being to celebrate the bicentenary of Anerley in 2027, and be a permanent equitable memorial to everyone whose names never get written on monuments.
“Friends of Betts Park will continue working hard with Anerley Town Hall and local councillors to regenerate our special corner of London.”
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