Sculptures, bronzes and carvings

Alexandra Park in Autumn and a photo just a few days after Halloween when pumpkins dominated. Here is someone’s idea of a joke and brings a smile to me. This statue has history: it replaces an earlier one of the very same nature that was placed in the park in 1865 but was damaged beyond repair in 1956. In 2004 Sculpture Andrew Sinclair created this replica, he only had a fuzzy photo of the original and so enlisted the help of a young 23yr old model called Naomi. It is said that this original statue was based on the biblical character of Rebecca, in which two references come to light: 1) “Before he had finished speaking, there was Rebecca…. Coming out with her water jar on her shoulder. The girl was very fair to look upon, a young girl, whom no man had known. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up.’ Genesis 24:1-27.” 2) The Betrothal and Marriage of Rebecca Rebecca was the young woman who became the wife of Isaac, Sarah’s son. She came from a well-to-do family in upper Mesopotamia, now north eastern Syria. She was a relative of Abraham; her family background is given in Genesis 22:20-23. Rebecca was beautiful, shrewd, energetic, physically robust and strong-willed. We first meet her at the well of Aram-naharaim, where she showed that she was willing to work, and confident enough to speak without fear to the strangers who had been sent by Abraham to find a wife for Isaac. This moment, with its symbolism of the well and water, has been popular with artists through the ages. Of course 'Halloween' is also derived from the bible: 'All Hallows' Eve', (The eve of 'All Saints Day' As is usual with my photos, best viewed full screen

‘James Cook (1728-1779) was born in the village of Marton near Middlesbrough and later apprenticed to a draper in the small fishing harbour of Staithes (11 miles north of Whitby). Later he moved to Whitby and became a trainee with a local shipping firm. Later, he joined the Royal Navy and was rapidly promoted to a command. It is as Captain Cook that the world still knows him – the man who charted the coast of New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia and who was one of the greatest surveyors as well as one of the finest sailors and explorers of all time. He learned his craft in Whitby vessels trading to the Baltic and two of the vessels he used on his long and perilous voyages – ‘Resolution’ and ‘Endeavour’ were built in Whitby.’ - www.visitwhitby.com

A different view to normal of this famous Abbey. At the side of the Abbey stands the old Whitby Hall or as it is also known 'Cholmley House and the Banqueting House' with its replica statue of Borghese's Gladiator which we see here. Part of the Hall is now the Whitby YHA (Youth Hostel Association). www.yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-whitby Nice full screen PiP for adjacent page photo

The views keep on coming as we stroll along this marvellous stretch of the loch. Here we see something special. Loch Lomond National Park Memorial Sculpture: Since 1995, the area around Ben Lomond, including the mountain summit, has been designated as a war memorial, called the Ben Lomond National Memorial Park. The park is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars and was created out of the former Rowardennan Estate with the support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund. The Memorial Park was officially opened on Armistice Day in 1997 by the Rt Hon Donald Dewar, then Secretary of State for Scotland and later becoming the first First Minister of Scotland. At the opening ceremony he unveiled a granite sculpture by Doug Cocker, a Scottish artist who had won a competition organized by the Scottish Sculpture Trust to design a permanent monument for the park. CWP May 2025 runner up. "Something Round

This bronze statue of lifeboat hero Richard Evans (1905-2001) was created by sculptor Sam Holland and unveiled by Prince Charles on 23 November 2004. Few lifeboat volunteers are awarded the RNLI’s gold medal for bravery, but he was awarded two. He received a gold medal in 1959 for his part in the rescue of all eight crew from the stricken freighter Hindlea in hurricane-force winds gusting to 104mph. Waves rolled the lifeboat onto its side, putting the mast beneath the water while the ship’s propeller whirled dangerously above the heads of the crew. Despite these difficulties, Dic brought the lifeboat alongside the wreck 10 times to complete the rescue. In 1961 the Queen presented Silver Sea gallantry medals to the crew for this rescue. Dic was 61 years old when he received his second gold medal for his part in the rescue of the crew of the Greek ship Nafsiporos which was in danger of being wrecked on the Skerries, north of Holyhead. His own son David and Holyhead lifeboat were also involved in the rescue. In 1969, the year before he retired, Dic received the British Empire Medal. He died on 13 September 2001. (https://historypoints.org/)

HFF…. Will wars never end? A memorial to the fallen of the Great War of 1914-1919 here in the peaceful coastal village of Lochinver in Scotland. Sadly for the population in and around The Ukraine, it seems that wars will never end. The preceding photo shows the main front of Lochinver, this memorial just to the right. Enjoy this in peace, so far away from our Ukrainian neighbours this weekend and spare them a thought in their hour of need! Have a peaceful weekend. Herb

In the market square of Knaresborough are two benches, each seating a sculpture. This one is 'Blind Jack' (1717-1810) with his surveyor's wheel, a local character. He was the first professional road builder to emerge after the Industrial revolution. Sculptor: Barbara Asquith The second sculpture is 'Mother Shipton'. Born in Knaresborough in the late 15th centaury. A Tudor prophetess believed to have predicted such events as the great Fire of London. Born Ursula Sontheil in a cave near the River Nidd in 1488. Died in 1561 at 80 years. Notice the old pub called 'Blind Jacks' in the background. Sculptor: Chris Kelly. Enjoy full screen.

- a human scale naked sculpture by artist Antony Gormley. Seen here at Saddell on Kintyre. See next photo for full description

Stone circle made by artist Michael Boffin in 1993 from local granite stones in form of a twist erected with 22 stepping stones leading up to it. This is near the village of Fallmore (An Fál Mór) on the Belmullet Peninsular . It is the Last part of the sculpture trail through North Mayo to commemorate Mayo 5000.