Lovingly created over many months by Brixham sculptress Elisabeth Hadley, Man & Boy will celebrate Brixham's proud fishing heritage but also offer visitors and residents alike a poignant reminder of the risks and challenges faced by the brave seafarers who bring home the 'silver harvest' in all weathers. The voluntary committee and supporters have worked tirelessly to pay for the sculpture, rubber moulds and beautiful plinth (now in place on King's Quay) via numerous fundraising events; however, no public sector or heritage lottery funding is available for this project and we desperately need to raise the final amount for bronze casting to ensure Man & Boy is ready this autumn. The mould is currently with the foundry in Wales, and this iconic and important community statue will finally be unveiled on 26 November 2016. The work of FISH will then be done, and Man & Boy will stand on King's Quay where it will be seen from the inner harbour and returning vessels for centuries to come.
What we'll deliver:
- We will pay for the final part of the MAN & BOY project - the bronze casting
- We will return the finished sculpture to Brixham this autumn to stand proud for centuries to come
Why it's a great idea:
Back in 2007, former Fishermen's Mission Superintendent Len Scott remarked to local trawlerman's wife Miriam Pynn that it was unbelievable that an important port such as Brixham (known as the mother port of trawling worldwide) had no fishermen's statue like other ports around the world: FISH (the charity) was born, and the small but dedicated committee have worked tirelessly since to raise funds by all means - shanty evenings, fish suppers, glamorous balls, sponsored events, collections days, donation sales, raffles - you name it, the FISH supporters have done it! The stunning life sized clay sculpture is now a reality, and a high quality plinth stands ready on King's Quay in Brixham. FISH now ask you to help us with our final push to place the iconic Man & Boy on the quayside, providing somewhere to celebrate Brixham's historic fishing heritage and allow grieving families somewhere close to the harbour where they can remember their loved ones lost at sea.
Steps to get it done:
- As soon as the £7,000 target is reached FISH will complete the bronzing of the sculpture
- FISH undertake to unveil Man & Boy during a VIP Ceremony on Saturday 26 November 2016 subject to reaching target
- Funders offering £100-£499 will receive a Certificate of Thanks and standard invitation to the Unveiling Ceremony
- Funders offering £5-£99 will receive a Certificate of Thanks & information on the project
- Funders offering £500+ can EITHER attend the Unveiling Ceremony as a VIP, OR have their name on a bronze plaque on site
As well as celebrating important fishing heritage, Man & Boy will offer those grieving loved ones lost or buried at sea a space in which to pause and reflect. Brixham welcomes thousands of visitors every year, drawn to this working port to immerse themselves in the flavour of this fishing town so dominated by the sea. The Man & Boy sculpture - in its prominent position - will be enjoyed by all. In addition, future generations of schoolchildren (residents and visitors) will have a landmark where education around the fishing industry and risks taken by our fishermen to put the nation's favourite seafood dishes on the table can be linked to reminders about safety at sea; almost all of the Committee have lost a friend or relative at sea, as have many local families: Man & Boy will stand not far from Torbay Lifeboat Station, near the slipway and marina, and overlooking the inner harbour where ocean going trawlers set sail daily - a vital feature of this historic, working fishing port.
