Yahoo Lifestyle First look at painter Ernie for town history trail
A sculpture paying tribute to a seaside resort's well-loved artist has been revealed ahead of the town's trail of artworks.
"Yarn with Ernie" depicts the late potter and painter Ernie Childs as if he were in mid-conversation in his beloved Great Yarmouth.
Artist Mark Goldsworthy is due to put the finishing touches to Ernie.
The statue is due to be positioned in the Market Place in the Norfolk town this summer, when nine other sculptures will form a trail leading to the seafront.
''We have an incredibly rich and vibrant range of sculptures that I know people will take to their hearts and that will be a real asset for the borough," said borough council leader Carl Smith.
Historical tales
The artworks "celebrate the best of Great Yarmouth", from its role as a circus capital, its maritime and medieval history, through to its embracing of clean energy and transport links, the council said.
Mr Goldsworthy, of Bungay in Suffolk, previously told the BBC the Ernie statue represented the town's characters and historical characteristics.
Childs was born in 1947 in the medieval streets known as The Rows and lived in the town all his life.
He died in 2019, aged 71.
An outdoor circular walking route will take visitors from the Market Place to the seafront, taking in St George's Road and park, Regent Road and Church Plain.
On what is believed be to a UK first, a mosaic will be created on a section of tiled paving outside Christchurch, to reflect the cultural impact of the town's Portuguese community.
The £330,00 project was on track for completion, the council added.
The local authority has submitted a planning application for the sculptures, which is due to be considered at the end of the month.
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