When I saw this - post - about Freddie Gilroy on Diane's Heart Shaped blog I knew it 'rang a bell' although I hadn't seen the sculpture featured on her blog it looked and felt familiar. When we were up on the Yorkshire coast at the end of April we visited the lovely little town of Filey and on the cobble is the sculpture below.
We thought it was wonderful and it was attracting quite a few people. The detail in the 12ft high steel sculpture is incredible.
I loved the textures in the fisherman's face and the way he was placed firmly in the landscape, looking out to sea. A fitting tribute to all those brave souls who ventured out every day to provide fish for our tables. It is also depicts the decline in the area's fishing industry.
I also loved the rat trying to pinch the wrapped fish at the fisherman's feet.
The sculpture is by Ray Lonsdale and called High Tide in Short Wellies and was given to the town of Filey by local resident Maureen Robinson who also gave the statue of Freddie Gilroy and the Belsen Stragglers by the same artist to the town of Scarborough.
There is a poem and a tribute at the base of the sculpture which were hard to read as they had weathered somewhat and the sun was at the wrong angle but I have done some 'googling' and found the words so I've pasted them below.
‘A high tide in short
wellies’
That’s it for me, I’ll see
you later.
Gonna wrap this catch in
protective paper,
Gonna face the sea with a
thousand mile stare
And wish that I was floating
there
In its summertime.
Down on the pier I saw a man
with a board
It read ‘the end is near,
accept your lord.
Then underneath this some
fisherman wrote.
‘I can see the end from the
back of my boat
‘This is wintertime.
I wish to donate the
sculpture to the people of Filey, and to dedicate it to my dear
husband Michael, to celebrate his 76th birthday (9
February 2012)
What a lovely tribute and such generosity to give two wonderful sculptures to be enjoyed by the residents and many visitors to both Scarborough and Filey.
I saw the other sculpture on Diane's blog and was amazed by it and this one is just as good, it is so amazing too that they were both donated to the towns to enjoy. I would be worried about the size of that giant lobster lying alongside the fisherman, quite tricky to catch!! (just kidding!!). Thank you for showing us this, it is great to see. xx
ReplyDeleteHa Ha - the lobster is part of a seaside themed crazy golf area which is next to the sculpture:)
DeleteI like it too, for the detail and the humour.
ReplyDeleteIt is rather special isn't it?:)
DeleteI like it and the poem very much, what a great gift and tribute.
ReplyDeleteI think both are wonderful gifts to the area from a very generous lady:)
DeleteI love this - what a statement it makes. Such a generous donation to the town.
ReplyDeleteIt is very striking and does make a wonderful statement about the industry that kept these place alive:)
DeleteI've seen the Scarborough sculpture and it's magnificent. Maybe I need to pay a visit to Filey!
ReplyDeleteWell, it's a good excuse to visit Filey which i thought was lovely - so quiet and peaceful with an interesting museum and church too:)
DeleteHi Rosie,
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Filey in years ~ what a wonderful sculpture. My Mum was in Scarborough recently and sent me a postcard which arrived today ~ how I miss the Yorkshire coast!
Marie x
You must miss the places you used to visit - how lovely to receive a postcard, not so many sent these days I expect:)
DeleteVery generous. I've seen the sculpture before but didn't know anything about it. I have not seen the big red lobster before though, that must be new, or temporary!
ReplyDeleteIt would seem then that the lobster came after the fisherman, I wasn't sure - it is in fact part of a crazy golf area of sea side themed items next to the statue:)
DeleteWonderful sculpture and so familiar to me not because I have seen it before but because I've seen the real fishermen. Very realistic. Love it!
ReplyDeleteYou must have wonderful memories of the real fishermen and how filey used to be. It is so wonderfully detailed isn't it?:)
DeleteThat is a wonderful sculpture. Wonderfully detailed for such a large object. Great colour too! x
ReplyDeleteI expect its colour will change over the years in the sea side air. It is a wonderful sight right there on the promenade:)
DeleteMagnific sculpture, I love the texture and the colour too. A lovely tribute.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the sculpture it is full of interest:)
DeleteAhh now we have a matching pair! This is beautiful - these 2 sculptures are magnificent and very cleverly executed. I really love them. Filey is a favourite seaside town of ours too xxx
ReplyDeleteI must look to see if the sculptor has done any more. These are amazing aren't they? We loved Filey but it was off season so quiet and peaceful and the local people were so friendly stopping to chat with us as we wandered around. Don't know what it would be like in August!:)
DeleteAn amazing sculpture, so detailed in texture - I love his hat!
ReplyDeleteJeanne
x
It is wonderful, isn't it? I too love his hat and his craggy, weather beaten face underneath it:)
DeleteWhat a marvellous sculpture and so life-like. Such lovely donation to Filey.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
It is a wonderful donation to the town and so generous and thoughtful:)
Delete