The Fisherman
The Fisherman was unveiled on 24th of September 2017 on the site now known as Fiddlers Green. A mythical place where fishermen go when they don’t go to hell.
“Wrap me up in me oil skins and jumper no more on the docks I’ll be seen just tell me old ship mates am taking a trip mates and I’ll see you someday on Fiddlers Green”.
Based on a photograph of a fisherman sitting alone with his thoughts by the late Harry Hann in 1960. The image was chosen by public vote.
The renowned sculptor and artist Ray Lonsdale was commissioned to fabricate The Fisherman. Made from Corten Steel with an estimated life span of 150 years.
NSFHP raised the £75,000 required in 18 months. Supported by the Canny Folks of Shields, Charitable Foundations, Local Businesses, and N.T.C.
The Fisherman now sits proudly looking out to Sea on Fiddlers Green. He is doing his job well attracting thousands of visitors, tourists, photographers, film companies and used by schools as a teaching aid. He preserves the rich fishing heritage of our fishing industry. Dedicated to the men who lost their lives and those who still Fish bringing home the catch.
Until recent years, North Shields was one of the few major fishing ports in the UK that was without a dedicated Fishermen’s Memorial.
In early 2015, Henry Howard, a retired fisherman decided to address this issue, and first raised the idea of erecting a sculpture to the memory of those local fishermen who had been lost at sea, backed by Terry McDermott, following which, some initial discussions took place to consider its viability. Enthusiasm from the local community proved positive, and as a result, a group of volunteers created and established the North Shields Fishermen’s Heritage Project. These were early days however, and the objective of the project set out to raise funds towards this goal which would serve as a fitting tribute to the local fishing community.
FUNDRAISING
A management team and steering group were appointed to oversee the project and after consulting with VODA, fundraising began in earnest. North Tyneside Council were approached, and pledged their full support which included the donation of a plot of land near to the foreshore and Fish Quay Sands.
The project soon gained momentum and within 18 months, a total of £75,000 had been raised, much of which came from public and private donations as well as generous contributions from local businesses along with various grants. This was sufficient to commission a new memorial.
THE DESIGNS
A total of eight designs were submitted, all of which were put to a public vote. The entry favoured by the majority was that which was submitted by Ray Lonsdale, a sculptor and steel fabricator from Seaham, Co. Durham. The design was inspired by a photograph (shown left) and taken in 1960 by local photographer; Harry Hann and entitled ‘The Salt’.
Here we see a lone fisherman seated on a quayside mooring bollard, reflecting in thought next to a steam trawler tied up in ‘The Gut’ at North Shields Fish Quay.
FIDDLERS GREEN MEMORIAL
As a result, Ray Lonsdale began construction of the memorial early in 2017. On completion, the sculpture was moved into place on Friday 22nd September 2017 and unveiled at a public ceremony, two days later on Sunday 24th September 2017 with the unveiling ceremony being performed by the Elected Mayor of North Tyneside; Mrs Norma Redfearn DBE, along with Julie Myhill whose fiancé; James Noble, alongside Micael Pulpul and Jhunitzquo Antonio Jnr., died when the ‘Ocean Way’ fishing vessel capsized and sank in the North Sea in November 2014. The memorial sculpture not only serves as a place of reflection to the memory of those fishermen who have sailed beyond the Tyne piers and have been lost at sea, but also as a token of remembrance to all those who have served in the North Shields Fishing industry and have passed away ashore.
THE SITE
The site of the sculpture has since become locally known as ‘Fiddlers Green’ which was a mythical place which in 19th-century maritime folklore was a kind of afterlife for mariners and fishermen who served their time at sea.
A memorial tablet stands next to the sculpture with a poignant inscription taken from a quotation by the American Political Analyst; Charles Cook, which states; “Until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore, you will not know the terror of being forever lost at sea”. An information board also accompanies the memorial.
The cost of the memorial was £75,000, and at twice life-size weighing two tons, is manufactured from Corten Steel in a series of welded mosaic pieces, having a projected lifespan of around 150 years.
Not only is the memorial a focal point on North Shields foreshore but it plays an important role in helping us to remember the rich fishing heritage of North Shields as well as those men who served in it.
North Shields Fishermen's Heritage Project,
The Market Office, Fish Quay,
North Shields.
NE30 1JA
Registered Charity Number 1197252