SHREWSBURY FLOODS - NIGEL'S FEET ARE STILL DRY
Deadgoodundies' home town has been in the headlines for more than a week because of the devastating floods from the River Severn.
Record rainfall from Storm Ciara, rapidly followed by Storm Dennis, has pushed river levels to a 20-year high that might rise to an all-time record.
And while DGU's warehouse and offices and all their boxers and briefs are well away from the deluge, the beautiful market town of Shrewsbury has been inundated twice in a week.
Which brings us to Nigel – an 18th century statue on a very tall plinth that stands with is back to the water about 20 feet from the usual river's edge in the beautiful Quarry Park in Shrewsbury. Our picture shows how far the river has widened and risen around the sculpture, which is believed to be a copy of a Farnese Hercules by John van Nost the Elder.
The statue is known locally as Nigel, as revealed by a comedian's performance in Shrewsbury. Mark Steel's In Town, Series 6, includes the full explanation about Nigel and a lot more about the lovely place where www.deadgoodundies.com has its headquarters.
What you can't see fully in the photograph (taken today by DGU's own Adam Davies) is that Nigel is wearing an early example of thong underwear for men. It was long believed that Hercules' leaf was added when he was moved six miles from the grounds of Condover Hall to the park, opposite St Chad's Church. Legend has it the foliage was required to save lady parishioners' blushes, but restoration work some years ago revealed the leaf was original – and there was no equipment carved beneath!
DGU would like to thank customers for their messages asking if we are OK. We are. Many homes and businesses in Shrewsbury are sadly not but the town will get back on its feet. So when the sun shines again why not come and see Nigel for yourself? Shrewsbury, set in a loop of the River Severn, is full of ancient black and white timber buildings, brilliant restaurants, boutique hotels, fascinating passageways and wonderful walks by the water or around the town itself.