Stony expressions as popular head sculptures on city street get £15,000 facelift
WORK has begun to restore a popular Derby sculpture to its former glory.
Damaged and vandalised stone heads under a tree in Friar Gate are being replaced by Tim Clapcott, the Macclesfield artist who designed them originally in 2000.
Cold winter weather over the years and a vandalism attack in August 2010 left them in a poor condition.
The sculptures were installed, with the help of pupils from the Derby Royal School for the Deaf, in Ashbourne Road, to commemorate the 1821 Reform Bill riots in the city, which saw crowds storm the Vernon Street jail to free debtors.
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Mr Clapcott was commissioned by the city council and cycling charity Sustrans to design artwork to sit alongside the National Cycle Network and commemorate the city's history.
They are also featured in several city walks
The work, which will cost £15,000 and take one week to complete, is being funded through Derby City Council's Public Realm budget.
6 Comments
by Derby_born
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 7:16PM
“@Derbyborn no criticism intended, I was merely referring to the original report that confirmed that the heads were deliberately smashed in August 2010.
I did not appreciate the significance of these heads when they were first placed here in 2000, I have however come to appreciate their relevance and their tourism value. I am pleased to see them restored. Great job well done Tim Clapcott!”
by DerbyBorn
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 5:08PM
“I said "suspect" and "some".”
by Derby_born
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 3:34PM
“Derbyborn, here is the original report from August 18th 2010 regarding the vandalism:
"VANDALS have smashed a landmark sculpture marking a poignant moment in Derby's history".
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/d9223r3”
by DerbyBorn
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 1:43PM
“I suspect that some damage was due to frost as the material under the glaze looked quite porous.”
by Derby_born
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 10:38AM
“The Derby Gaol was not the one on Vernon Street, it was the one on Friar Gate, of which some of the original basement cells, including the "Condemned Cell" stillexist and is run by Richard Felix.
According to Steven Glover's Derby Guide of 1843, the crowds ripped up a lamp post from Friar Gate and battered the door of the Gaol down to release debtors and prisoners awaiting execution. A number of rioters were shot and killed.”
by mark_sinfin
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 9:55AM
“cant belive theyve only been there since 2000, i thought they had been there much longer than that.”