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Art project set to make a
splash in New Brighton
AN exciting community art project which
celebrates a New Brighton legend has been given the green light. The
Mermaid Trail, which takes its inspiration from the 'Black Rock Mermaid',
who was said to have appeared to a local sailor in New Brighton in the 18th
Century, will feature a series of mermaid statues right across the resort,
designed by local artists, schools and community groups. The project is
moving forward thanks to a successful bid for £10,935 by the New Brighton
Coastal Community Team (NBCCT) to the Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund, a
grant scheme set up by DONG Energy to benefit voluntary groups and organisations
located near to the coastline where it is carrying out the extension to the
offshore wind farm. Work on the mermaids is likely to start in the autumn, with
the aim of being installed ready for visitors in the spring of 2017.
Cllr Tony Jones, Wirral Council's Pledge Champion for 'building a vibrant
tourism economy' and Chair of the NBCCT, said:- "New Brighton is
steeped in maritime history and the revitalised New Brighton is committed to
building on this, bringing it back to life even as we look to the future. This
project will raise awareness of the legend of the Black Rock Mermaid and will
bring her story to the attention of the hundreds of thousands of visitors the
resort attracts each year. The trail is important to the areas as it will take
visitors away from the waterfront areas for a time and introduce them to some of
the attractions and unique character that can be found in different parts of New
Brighton. The Mermaid Trail will help connect the distinct communities within
the New Brighton area and allow us to welcome even greater visitor numbers. The
area is already synonymous with community led creative arts activities and the
Trail will further cement this identity. It is an extremely exciting time for
everyone connected with the resort and our thanks go to DONG Energy for
supporting us with the grant from the Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund."
The plan is for 6 mermaid statues to be installed in locations across the resort
creating a trail around the area. Competitions and community events with the
trail as a theme are planned and updates on the development of the installation
will be promoted on:-
Wirral.Gov.UK,
VisitNewBrighton.com and
VisitWirral.com,
as well as being communicated through social media.
Did you know? The legend of the Black Rock
Mermaid... As well as being seen around Black Rock, the legendary mermaid was
also reputedly sighted near Leasowe Castle, along the stretch of sands called:-
'Mockbeggar Wharf' and on boulders that are now known as the 'Mermaid
Stones'. The legend took hold when a Liverpool sailor, John Robinson, met
her when she came on board his ship after a storm killed the other members of
his crew. By being the 1st to speak, and by taking her comb and girdle, he had
the power to ask a wish of her. In return for his promise that he would see her
again the following Friday, she gave him a compass that would allow him to
return to shore: he agreed, and she kept her word. When the time came for him to
meet her again she was the 1 who spoke 1st, thus gaining power over him: she
bewitched him with her singing, took back the compass and put her ring on his
finger, saying she would soon see him once again. This time, however, when he
returned to his home, he fell ill and died 5 days later. |
