Tall Ships Embraced
A dedicated businessman is expressing his passion for the imminent Tall Ships’ Races through the creation of his own community artwork project. Inspired and assisted by local school children, metalwork artist Martin Brown is developing a commemorative garden and striking iron sculpture to leave them a lasting legacy for years to come.
‘Tall Ships Embraced’ was first conceptualised in November 2008 by metal expert Martin Brown. Excited by the idea of the Tall Ships coming to Hartlepool in August 2010, he felt there was no real provision to commemorate the event for local children. So he brought together various contacts and interested parties, including colleague Steve Nixon, and they came up with the idea of a community art project.
Through the help of Hartlepool Marina Director, Allan Henderson, a 25ft x 12ft plot was secured at Navigation Point to transform into a sustainable Tall Ships garden. Now well underway, the site is being cleared and prepared by supervised volunteers from the Probation Service, and the garden is being designed by pupils at Eldon Grove Primary School, who have used the opportunity as a creative art project.
Martin says: “The school children have come up with their own ideas on how to use the garden, incorporating the likes of whales, compasses and lighthouses, and have grown plants in blue and white colours to represent the sea. It is all being mapped out on school premises ready to be transferred to the actual site closer to the time – they are bouncing with excitement and simply can’t wait.”
The centrepiece of the garden will be a 6ft tall metal plaque, fabricated by Martin, which depicts Tall Ships entering the safe harbour of Hartlepool, visualised by two giant human hands and framed by a large lighthouse standing either side. Martin explains: “The plaque aims to be a representation of the event that local people can relate to and understand. It is a demanding and time-consuming piece but it will be worth it just to see the look on the children’s faces when it sits within their garden.”
Having worked with metal since the age of 11, Martin runs Flaxton Street Wrought Iron Ltd, based off Elwick Road in Hartlepool. Specialising in machining and shaping metals for interior furniture, wrought iron gates and staircases, the business also produces bespoke items such as gothic candleholders and artwork pieces. Martin has worked tirelessly to continue making a living from his business whilst also remaining 100% committed to the Tall Ships Embraced project.
“No funding has been provided for the project,” Martin says, “and inevitably a lot of my own money has gone into this as well as drawing upon goodwill and donation of supplies. Funds are now running out which means we are having to be increasingly resourceful, recycling disused materials and encouraging the school children to ‘think outside the box’.
“I would urge local businesses to show their support in any way they can, whether it’s offering funding, sponsorship or garden supplies such as compost. Other ways of supporting us include purchasing artwork or our unique Tall Ships Embraced t-shirts.
“No-one is benefitting from this financially but I simply won’t settle until I have done the very best by our local children and I am willing to suffer the consequences in achieving that. The sky really is the limit in what this type of event can bring to a town like Hartlepool, so let’s all pull together and celebrate this wonderful occasion.”
For more information on Tall Ships Embraced, and to offer your support, please call Martin Brown on 01429 867800. Information on Flaxton Street Wrought Iron Ltd can be found at www.flaxtonstreet.co.uk.
