“Mariners’ memorial” overlooking St Ives Bay step nearer

The statue showing pilchard fishermen at the turn of the 20th century would be created by well-known Cornish sculptor Tom Leaper and put “history back” in the town.

A group of St Ives residents, including members of the town council and its museum, want to create the statue to celebrate the rich maritime heritage within the town, much of which has been forgotten since it has become more of a tourist destination in recent years.

The memorial group approached Cornwall Harbours Board for permission to place the statue at The Castle on Smeaton’s Pier, and the board offered to grant £1,000 towards its creation and upkeep. Its designer Mr Leaper told a meeting of the board last week that the memorial, which would 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.

A photograph of pilchard fishermen in St Ives at the dawn of the 20th century (Image: Mariners Memorial group)

He said the fishing port side of St Ives has 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. In 1905 there was a record catch of 13 million pilchards on a single day. The sculpture would be derived from an image of the pilchard fishermen.

A maquette of the limited edition bronzes which are being sold by the statue's designer Tom Leaper (Image: Tom Leaper)

The funding for the sculpture is being raised by a series of small bronzes, which are being made by Mr Leaper and sold through Penwith Gallery, which won’t take any commission. He’s currently sold 11 of 20, making £15,400. The sculptor told the meeting: “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.”

Purchasing one of the limited editions will ensure the name of the buyer will be engraved on to the plinth of the memorial as a donor.

During a discussion about the plans, Harbours Board member Ian Shipperley asked if it was an appropriate use of board money when it is under financial pressure. “Perhaps this should be privately funded? 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 that so much of St Ives’ history has 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 allow the statue to go ahead with the addition of its £1,000 donation.