A young woman was hoisted on to the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square on Monday morning to begin her hour of fame as a living sculpture, during which she struck soulful poses for passers-by and a bag lady asleep on a bench.

There was a sign nearby saying “One Magic Summer”. Right now, every cricket enthusiast in England would agree with that. However, this time the summer was not quite magical enough for anyone to think it worth disturbing either the bag lady or Nelson.