Rod And Line Fisherman – Filey, UK - Figurative Public Sculpture on Waymarking.com

Filey is one of a number of towns on the east coast of England that once had a thriving fishing industry but has now declined.

The sculptor Roy Lansdale specialises in large metal sculpture and he was keen to make a powerful statement about the decline of the fishing industry. Ray has used steel to imitate the textures of the fisherman’s clothing, from his woollen hat down to his Wellington boots. Roy's web site

After it was first made it was put on display in Saltburn and then moved to Whitby. A local resident, Maureen Robinson liked the sculpture so much that she paid £50000 to buy it and install it permanently in Filey.

Although she lives in nearby Scarborough she has spent a lot of time in Filey at low tide studying the local wildlife in the rock pools and shore. She is a keen amateur naturalist who has written more than 2,000 features related to wildlife for the Scarborough Evening News, Just like the fisherman she has spent many hours in short wellies with her husband. She has dedicated the statue to him. See here for more information

Between the fisherman’s feet is his catch of a fish wrapped in paper. Unknown to him a rat is investigating the fish and about to start to eating the fisherman’s supper.

Also at the base of the statue is the poem ‘A High Tide In Short Wellies’ on a plaque and is about a fisherman’s love of the sea.

That’s it for me I’ll see you later,
gonna wrap this catch in protective paper,
gonna face the sea with a thousand mile stare
and wish that I was floating there

         In its summertime

Down on the pier I saw a man with a board.
It read ‘the end is near accept your lord’.
Then underneath this some fisherman wrote
‘I can see the end from the back of my boat’.

         This is wintertime

There is also a plaque about the statue.

Donated by Maureen Robinson
To the people of Filey
In celebration of my dear husband Miachael’s 76th birthday
9 February 2012

Filey residents and visitors have shown their thanks by
Financial support towards the plinth and installation.

Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: A High Tide In Short Wellies Figure Type: Combination of two figure types Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Roy Lansdale Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: 12/9/2012 Materials used: Steel Location: Coble Landing

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