This fabulous “Big Fella”, sculptured by Ray Lonsdale, is a bequest to the town of Silloth from a true gentleman, Peter Richardson. I have a feeling that this could be the most photographed item in Silloth over the next few months, possibly years even. Thank you so much Peter.
Apparently, Peter, would say to visitors, "Will you look at that view", hence the plaque on the seat!
A note from Ray: ‘What’s in a Name’ As some of you will know virtually all of my work is accompanied by a poem or words of some description. Also as some of you will know this particular piece was to be a very low key affair as the gent who originally got in touch about it did not want a lot of fuss. Hence it was agreed with the family after the gents passing that a simple plaque stating ‘Look at That View’ (a phrase he was apparently famous for) should be the only thing attached. No problem, to me that displays an abstract emotional connection that the family and friends will really relate to and a link to the gent they loved. I have however been contacted by a number of people asking ‘what is the title’? It seems to have become known simply as The Big Fella which I can see as a very apt pet name given its scale. Some are taking the plaque inscription as the title. For me though the title I had in mind during its manufacture was ‘Sunset for the Common Man’ and it was designed as a depiction of how quickly a life passes. The words I came up with were not intended to be directly attached to the gent but more of a general observation. They are as follows:- ———— Days of wonder then petty insecurities, Followed by swagger and poise and missed opportunities, Then down the other side on polished runner, Faster and further from invincible summer, Crashing through the brief autumn blaze, As you scream from sunrise to sunset days. ————- Then for the dog who couldn’t give a jot about the sunset ————- ‘Sunset for the Common Dog’ Kick the ball, kick the ball, Kick the ball, Go on KICK THE BALL. ————- As it turned out the family didn’t want any words attached to the piece but I just wanted to explain why there isn’t any for those who have enquired about it .
The cache is a black nano - and as the whole structure is metal, of course its magnetic!! You may need tweezers to extract the log, once youve found it - happy hunting
******************Congratulations to DEZZIE/MAGGIE on the FTF********************