|
Mermaid designer needed for
exciting New Brighton commission
NEW Brighton's Mermaid Trail is moving
ever closer to becoming a reality as the process to commission a designer gets
underway.
Tenders are now being invited from artists and manufacturers for this exciting
project, which will see 6 mermaid statues installed across the New Brighton area
to attract visitors and pay homage to a popular local legend... the 'Black Rock
Mermaid.'
The successful designer will be the one that best meets the criteria set out by
the New Brighton Coastal Community Team (NBCCT), who are commissioning the
statues. This is outlined in the Request for Quotation documentation which
applicants will read before they submit their tender.
The statues will be identical in design; they will later each be 'customised'
by local youngsters or community groups; and feature an adult sized mermaid, in
a seated position upon a plinth. The successful designer will also be required
to manufacture the statues and get them ready for customisation and
installation.
Anyone who wishes to apply for the commission needs to register on The Chest
portal:-
The-Chest.Org.UK.
Submissions have to be made by noon on Tuesday, 13 September 2016.
The inspiration behind this project is the 'Black Rock Mermaid', who was
said to have appeared to a local sailor, John Robinson, in New Brighton, in the
18th Century.
The New Brighton Coastal Community Team (NBCCT) successfully bid for a grant of
£10,935 from 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.
It is hoped that the Mermaid Trail will be in place ready for visitors in late
spring 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 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 then 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! |
