Ernie Wise Statue - Follow The Progress

Feature from 2009

The storey of the Ernie Wise statue began back in 2007 with a letter to a local newspaper…

You can read the full storey to find out the background of the project.

This feature, written during the work, was a diary of progress from a lump of stone to finished piece and the final unveiling. Melanie Wilks, the sculptor, will be providing us with photographs and updates as the work progresses. June 2009
The stone has been found. A lovely piece of stone, but two to three times too big…
Ian Howgate of Calder Masonry very kindly came to the rescue by splitting the oversized block.
Now have a perfectly proportioned stone for the Ernie Wise statue, and have already made a good start.

July 2009
Doreen Wiseman came to visit the quarry to see the beginning of the carving of her husband's statue.
Doreen was received in style by the Lord Mayor, who is also Chair of Morley Murals.
Doreen was very pleased and has lent Melanie treasured photos of Ernie, along with measurements of his person.
The finished figure will be 15% larger than he was in life. At the moment the stone is still on it's side and is due to be righted on shortly.

July 2009
The stone has now been lifted into a verticle position so the work can continue. Roughing out the edges on scaffolding - work is progressing well.

September 2009
The shape slowly begins to emerge. Details start to become clearer as the work continues.

December 2009
Most of the arduous work is done. Now its down to the fine details.

March 2010
The statue is transported to its final destination. It wasn't the best weather, it was snowing. Eventually though, it stood in place.

© morecambeandwise.com 2009