Ossywood or Hollywood

Basildon has hit the headlines this week with its new sign.  It has been reported that this is a copy of the famous Hollywood sign, in the hills above Los Angeles.

Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong.  As anyone in Hyndburn will tell you it is a copy of the infamous Ossywood sign on a hill above Oswaldtwistle which mysteriously appeared overnight in 2003.  The evidence is here, in this dated photo.

It too made national news when it was discovered and was a huge talking point in the locality.  Proud gobbiners were only too pleased to have this fitting tribute to their town erected.  Sadly, the creator did not have planning permission, and although the owner of the field was not too upset, the sign was eventually deemed to be frightening the rabbits and was removed.

Now, another Essex town, Benfleet is copying the original again without giving any credit to the creative genius centred in Oswaldtwistle.  Whoever next?

Comments

By Andy on April 16th, 2010 at 2:02 pm

I am originally from Ossy… I left Rhyddings High school in 1989 and haven’t lived there since. Ironically, I now find myself living in Basildon and I have seen the sign with my own eyes. It pains me to hear Basildonians heralding this idea of pure genius as their own without giving the credit due to the pioneers of this signage! Once again Ossy leads the way!

By takmando on April 17th, 2010 at 6:59 pm

I remember it well .running around a field at 1.30 in the morning. eeeeeee happy days. france will be next. keep an eye on france 24 .A+ frends x