16/03/2026
Public Statues and Sculpture Association Online Zoom Heritage Event
'Grimsby's sculptural heritage and the struggle to retain it'
Tuesday 17th March 2026 - 6pm - 8.30pm
Free online Zoom event – book your free ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/grimsbys-sculptural-heritage-and-the-struggle-to-retain-it-tickets-1984480189668?aff=oddtdtcreator
From grand beginnings to a struggle to retain its cultural identity following the decline of the fishing industry, Grimsby’s artistic legacy is broad and varied. This event will reflect on Grimsby cultural history and the town’s public sculpture from Edwardian times until the present day.
Edward Bannister’s inspiring legacy and early public sculpture in the town by Kerry Henderson, Darren Neave, Geoff Scargill, Dale Wells and Annabel McCourt.
The first talk will cover the period from the mid-nineteenth century to the early the twentieth century. Looking particularly at Victorian and Edwardian Grimsby and its major benefactor, Edward Bannister (1821–1916), the town’s mayor in 1868-9 and Geoff Scargill will be speaking about the important role played by Edward Watkin MP (1819–1901) in erecting the interesting statue of Prince Albert by William Theed the Younger.
Harold Gosney and local sculptors; the fate of their public sculpture and the issue of Grimsby Central Library
by Kerry Henderson, Darren Neave and Dale Wells
The second talk will look at Grimsby from the mid-twentieth century until the present day, highlighting the important sculptural contributions of Harold Gosney (b. 1937) with works such as the Great Grimsby Seal (Grimsby Central Library), the bronze Grim and Havelock bronze relief (Old Market Place, Grimsby) and the recently demolished concrete reliefs for Abbey Walk car park. More recent additions to the town’s public sculptures will also be considered. The talk will focus particularly on the cultural significance of the Central Library and and its integral decorative scheme with the valued contributions of local artists such as Peter E. Todd (1921–2006) and David Morris.
Images
Grimsby Library 1966-1968
Harold Gosney, Family Group 1965
Harold Gosney Abbey Walk Car Park Reliefs 1969
Prince Albert Statue 1879, after Theed 1804-1901
Grim and Havelock statue 1973
Grim reimagined, Grimsby Institute
