Fishing statue would ‘bring history back’ in St Ives
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Fishing is a huge part of St Ives’ history and I think the community will identify with that statue
THE creation of a “mariners’ memorial” has come a step closer after the Cornwall Harbours Board gave permission to site it overlooking St Ives Bay.
The statue, depicting pilchard fishermen at the turn of the 20th century, would be created by Cornish sculptor Tom Leaper, who says it will help to restore a neglected aspect of the town’s history.
A group of St Ives residents, including members of the town council and of its museum, plan to commission the statue to celebrate the town’s rich maritime heritage, much of which they say has been forgotten since it became more of a tourist destination in recent years.
The memorial group approached the Harbours Board for permission to place the statue at the Castle on Smeaton’s Pier, and the board offered a grant of £1,000 towards its creation and upkeep.
Mr Leaper told a meeting of the board that the memorial, to be called Tucking In The Net, would be a tribute to all those who sailed from St Ives, and its backdrop would be the whole of the bay where they caught fish.
He said St Ives’ past as a fishing port had been greatly neglected
“since the Tate turned up, and now St Ives history starts with Barbara Hepworth, so what we’re trying to do is put that history back”.
Between 1840 and 1900 there were nearly 300 boats fishing from Porthminster beach, making it the fourth biggest port in Britain, and in 1905 there was a record catch of 13 million pilchards in a single day.
The sculpture’s design would be derived from an image of the pilchard fishermen.
To help fund the project Mr Leaper has created a series of small bronzes which are being sold through the Penwith Gallery, which is not charging any commission.
So far 11 of 20 have been sold, making £15,400”, Mr Leaper told the board. “I plan to do 50, which should make £70,000, leaving £56,000 after
VAT, which would go to the funding of the actual memorial.
“Every penny will be going into the construction.”
Purchasers of the limited-edition bronzes will have their names engraved on the memorial’s plinth, identifying them as donors.
During a discussion of the plan board member Ian Shipperley asked whether contributing £1,000 was a proper use of its funds when it was under financial pressure.
“Perhaps this should be privately funded?” he asked.
“Some people might see it as an inappropriate use of public money.”
However, chairman Loic Rich replied: “Fishing is a huge part of St Ives’ history and I think the community will identify with that statue.
“I think it’s more than a statue; it’s what’s behind it.”
Cllr Peter Perry said much of St Ives’ history had disappeared, and been replaced by “plastic buckets and shops that sell absolutely nothing to do with Cornish heritage.
“This is part of St Ives’ legacy and we should celebrate it, and that includes the £1,000”.
The board unanimously agreed to permit the statue to go ahead and to contribute £1,000 towards it.
Loic Rich Harbours Board chairman