Mermaid Trail Launched in New Brighton, Wirral

The New Brighton Mermaid Trail, which takes its inspiration from ‘The Black Rock Mermaid’, who was said to have appeared to a local sailor in New Brighton in the 18th century, was officially unveiled on Wednesday 7th June.

The Mermaid Trail is a set of six identical Mermaid statues situated in key locations across New Brighton. They have each been individually decorated, four of them by local schools, one by a community group and one by the local artist who designed and sculpted the statues, Barry Canning-Eaton. Both the design and decoration have been kept a closely guarded secret in the lead up to the unveilings.

Each statue is accompanied by an information board which, when followed in order, takes trail followers through a story based on the legend of ‘The Black Rock Mermaid’, as told by local storyteller Cathy Roberts.

Starting from Kings Parade, the first statue – the ‘Ebb & Flow Mermaid’ – is situated next to the Championship Adventure Golf and is decorated by children and young people engaged with Ebb & Flow Community Interest Company, with its decoration inspired by natural wonders in and around New Brighton.

Statue number two is the work of pupils from St Mary’s Catholic College, with a nautical and sea-faring inspired decoration that they have called ‘The Inked Siren of Black Rock’. This is situated on the corner of Victoria Road and Atherton Street close to New Brighton railway station.

The location of the third mermaid is on Seabank Road near to its junction with Magazine Lane. The ‘Rock On Mermaid’ is decorated by pupils from The Mosslands School in Wallasey and tells a strong story of young people, boys and girls, who are finding their own voice.

Vale Park, looking out onto the promenade, is where visitors will find the fourth mermaid, decorated by young people who attend Wirral Hospitals’ School. Entitled, ‘Paxtonea – the Soothing Siren’, its decoration tells the story of the legend in a way that provokes awareness of the sensory needs of people with anxiety and on the autistic spectrum.

Pupils from St George’s Primary School are responsible for the ‘Mermaid of Memories’, the fifth statue on the trail. Situated on the promenade opposite the Floral Pavilion Theatre and Conference Centre, the pupils have sought through their decoration to take people on a journey back in time to a dark yet glowing evening at New Brighton fairground.

The trail ends on Victoria Parade in ‘Old Town’ New Brighton with the sixth statue – the eponymous Black Rock Mermaid – this one decorated by the creator of the Mermaid statues, Barry Canning-Eaton.

The Mermaid Trail project has been made possible thanks to a successful bid for £10,935 by the New Brighton Coastal Community Team (NBCCT) to the Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund, a grant scheme set up by DONG Energy to benefit voluntary groups and organisations located near to the coastline where it is carrying out the extension to the offshore wind farm.

Caroline Laing, Wirral Council’s representative on the New Brighton Coastal Community Team, said:

“It is hoped that the trail will raise awareness of the legend of The Black Rock Mermaid and bring her story to the attention of the hundreds of thousands of visitors the resort attracts each year. The trail is purposefully designed to show visitors parts of New Brighton that they might not otherwise have got to see and show them some of the attractions and unique character that can be found away from the traditional tourist locations.”

For photo’s click below:-

Cilla Black Statue Unveiled In Mathew St, Liverpool

A new statue of Cilla Black was unveiled yesterday outside the original entrance to The Cavern Club in Liverpool, where Cilla once worked and later sang at.  Cilla died after a fall at her Spanish Villa in Augiust 2015 aged 72.

The bronze sculptor created and designed by artists Emma Rodgers and Andy Edwards and was cast at Castle Fine Arts Foundry in Liverpool and was commissioned by her three sons.

The ceremony coincided with the 60th anniversary of the world famous club, and on the same day a plaque was presented to the remaining members of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes in the Cavern and a brick was placed in the Cavern Wall Of Fame by Irish musician Gilbert O’Sullivan.

The ceremony was attended by hundreds of fans and well wishers.  Guests include her three sons, Jack, Ben and Robert, local DJ Pete Price, Lord Mayor, Cllr Roz Gladden and consort Cllr Roy Gladden amongst others.

Unveiling the statue, Robert Willis said his mother “never really appreciated getting old but now she will be forever young”.

He told onlookers: “We were overwhelmed by the incredible support after our mother died from the country but also, and especially, from the people of this great city.

“It was incredibly comforting and it moved us deeply and gave us hope at a time when we didn’t have much hope.

“It was something that none of us will ever forget.”

He said the local-made sculpture was not only a memorial to his mother but donating it to Liverpool was “a small gesture of gratitude and thanks to the people of this wonderful city”.

“It’s based on a sixties design, the dress is chequered and it enabled us to put little stories like photos and lyrics hidden in there for people to check out.

“I’m just incredibly relieved that it turned out as well as it did. We are so happy with it, and I hope people enjoy it. And they did get the legs right, she had great legs! And also the nose – it’s the post-nosejob nose which she would have insisted on!”

For pics and video of the event, click on the links below:-

 

Photo’s :-

Muhammed Ali Statue, Liverpool

A bronze statue of the greatest boxer, Muhammed Ali has been put on display in Liverpool.

The Statue cast in the Castle Fine Arts Foundry, is on display at the McKeown Rice Exhibition Space on Jamaica St, Liverpool.

The statue was created by Andrew Edwards and appropriately called “The Greatest”

The boxer who died earlier in in June 2016, once said “You ain’t no fool if you from Liverpool”.

For pictures please click on the link below:-