A stunning statue of a Bridlington Barrow Boy statue has been unveiled on Bridlington Railway station.
The statue, commissioned by the Yorkshire Coast Community Rail Partnership (YCCRP), was designed and created by talented local sculptor Stephen Carvill, who also created the iconic Gansey Girl on Bridlington North Pier.
The station was buzzing with the crowds of people who came to see the unveiling, including a good number of former barrow boys and girls.
Pete Myers – Chair of the YCCRP introduced the Mayor of Bridlington – Councillor Rick Arrand who performed the unveiling. The Reverend Neil Bowler and Father Albert Schembri then gave a blessing and said prayers.
The YCCRP stated they would like to thank everyone who came to support this event, those who took part and all who have helped over the last two years to make this happen. Special thanks to MCN Brown, Powderhall Foundry, Northern and Network Rail as well as to the station staff and MIND office staff who have had to deal with all the disruption and noise during the installation.
Thanks were also given to all the funders who made this possible and to the YCCRP committee who worked so hard, particularly Vice Chair Roger Gaitley who led the project.
YCCRP Chair Pete Myers said “We worked with the local artist Stephen Carvill to produce this wonderful piece of art.
It represents a Barrow Boy (or case carrier) who used to wait outside of the station and offer to carry holidaymaker’s luggage to and from their hotels and guest houses. A real piece of social history, which is certainly worth celebrating.
The YCCRP are delighted to play a part in this project, which will both enhance the station and tell this important piece of social history. In truth the story has a national interest, and our research shows that most seaside towns would have had Barrow Boys and Girls employed at their bus and railway stations.
“Therefore, we would be happy to work with other locations to help set up, in whatever form, a national movement of Barrow Boys and Girls, so that we don’t forget when an entrepreneurial spirit really existed amongst the young people of our coastal communities.”
One visitor said: “The Barrow Boy will become as loved and cherished as our beloved Gansey Girl. We are blessed to have Stephen still living in Bridlingon and creating these unique pieces of public art that so many locals can relate to. Thank you Stephen, this Barrow boy will provide such a great welcome to visitors for years to come.”
It was a common sight in the 1950s and 60s to see barrow boys and girls waiting on platforms with their homemade barrows, to transport holidaymakers’ luggage to hotels and guesthouses.
This statue, which is cast in bronze, shows a small boy, complete with barrow and suitcases. As another nod to the station history it also features Lucy the station cat.
It commemorates the barrow boys’ history and Bridlington’s heritage and the YCCRP hope that it will be enjoyed by generations to come.
The Barrow Boy project has been funded and supported by Yorkshire Coast BID, Community Rail Network (and the DfT) , Bridlington Town Council and the YCCRP, with support from Northern.
