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Kitty Wilkinson
Statue Unveiled
A statue of Kitty
Wilkinson; Liverpool’s “Saint of the Slums” is to be
unveiled at St George’s Hall this week by one of her descendents.
The unveiling will be performed by the Reverend Elizabeth Storey who
is Kitty Wilkinson’s great, great, great niece. The marble statue
will be unveiled in a ceremony on Thursday, 20 September 2012.
“It is a great privilege to be asked to unveil the statue. Kitty
Wilkinson has always been part of my life. We were brought up as
children learning about her and her work and it is right that she
should be honoured.” said Mrs Storey.
It will be the first statue of a woman at the Hall and will join 12
marble statues surrounding the Great Hall depicting Victorian and
Edwardian men. A number of niches, where the statues stand, have
remained empty since the last one was completed in 1911.
Campaigners have long argued that women’s contribution to the City
has not been recognised sufficiently through public art and that
women, who have played an important role in the City’s history,
should be honoured.
In 2010, as part of the City’s 800th birthday celebrations, the City
Council decided to rectify the lack of statues of women and it was
unanimously agreed that Kitty Wilkinson, whose efforts led to
improvements in hygiene and the advancement of health care in
Liverpool, should be honoured.
Kitty allowed her home to be used as a wash-house during the cholera
epidemics of the 1830’s. She also took in homeless children and
taught that cleanliness was the main weapon against disease. She
opened Britain’s first public washhouse in Upper Frederick Street in
1842.
A competition was held and London-based sculptor Simon Smith was
selected by a panel chaired by former Councillor Flo Clucas, advised
by independent specialists and the City’s public art officer.
Simon Smith said:- “St George’s Hall is a Grade I listed
building and any new additions would require a sensitive response. I
was advised by English Heritage that the preferred material for the
sculpture would be marble, in keeping with the other statues in the
Hall. The commission was quite a challenge given there was only one
photograph available, probably taken towards the end of her life,
and an image of her in the window of the Lady Chapel in Liverpool’s
Anglican Cathedral. A further challenge was to undertake the
representation of an individual from a working class background in
the context of the pantheon of male dignitaries represented in the
hall and to make her look as if she belongs there. Kitty Wilkinson
was, by all accounts, compassionate and determined. It was important
that my sculpture conveys these virtues. I think I have produced a
dignified and subtle sculpture of an immensely practical and caring
woman.”
Councillor Wendy Simon, City Council cabinet member for culture and
tourism, said:- “Kitty Wilkinson was an inspiring figure whose
work will long be remembered. The City is celebrating one of its
most remarkable women and we are providing a fitting tribute to her;
and it is great that one of her descendent should be unveiling the
statue. I hope this will be the first of a number of statues to mark
Liverpool’s outstanding women and redress the gender imbalance we
have in our memorials.”
The sculpture of Kitty Wilkinson is carved from Carrara marble
sourced from the Michelangelo caves in Italy. The commission took
Simon Smith two years to research the material, source the marble,
and carve the work. The commission has been achieved for £100,000.
A total of 35 artists submitted expressions of interest. Three were
shortlisted for interview and prepared costed design proposals for
consideration by the Selection Panel. Simon Smith’s proposal was the
unanimous choice.
Independent specialist advisor John Larson said:- “The
maquette that Simon entered for the commission was distinguished by
the overall simpliCity of its design. With an over life-size
sculpture it is important that the overall effect is not obscured by
minor detail. This quality also means that it will fit in better
with the other sculptures in the hall and will not upset the balance
of the display. The design of the figure also displays a quiet
determination and energy which would seem to evoke the character of
Kitty. The clothing is appropriate without being too specific. The
portrait will be effective at a distance and also evokes a
commanding character.” |
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THE GARDEN OF
LOST SOULS
FOLLOWING the success of
the Tale of Two Cities Tour and The Real Ale Pub Tour, Lovehistory
(the authority on bringing history to life) bring you a brand new
terrifying tour experience created for the Halloween period. The
Garden of Lost Souls is a theatrical tour of horror situated within
the atmospheric Victorian Walled Garden of Croxteth Hall and Country
Park.
On the 21 October, also 28 October, 29 October and 30 October 2012,
Lovehistory will delve into the depths of history to expose the
secrets of the night with a special horror themed homage to all
those weird and wonderful 19th century writers and film makers who
have made the genre what it is today. Lovehistory will recreate the
spine chilling atmosphere of true Victorian horror by bringing back
the ghosts of the past.
This historic Victorian Walled Garden provides the perfect backdrop
for a truly picturesque Halloween event. The famous Hall looms over
the high walls of the garden which is almost untouched by time and
keeps its secrets securely guarded. It has been said that if you
look closely you can see the ghosts of the past hiding watching you.
For this “spooktacular” event, The Garden of Lost
Souls will awaken the ghosts of the past and you will hear the
wailing whispers and demented cries of departed souls lost between
this world and the next, forever bound to wander these earthly
gardens.
Judy McLean, the founder of Lovehistory says:- “Lovehistory
are very excited about this special Halloween event. The location is
perfect, especially in the winter when you feel like you are almost
standing on the set of a Dracula film. We have lots of ghostly
stories and creatures of the night waiting to greet our guests. Once
the gate of the walled garden closes, you will meet your fate and
there is no escape. It’s great fun but it will send shivers down the
spine too”
In the summer months this lush extravagant garden is bursting with
life, colour and the sweet scents of exotic flowers. But in the
winter months the shrubs and flowers no longer flourish and bare
branches are exposed to create twisted monstrous shadows on the
walls that close us in and ghostly creatures lurk beneath the dark
winter fog that sits low on the ground in this withered wilderness.
This magnificent Halloween event promises one of the most spine
chilling experiences you will ever encounter! Come and join us for
an evening of supernatural shocks and mysterious melodrama.
This event takes place from 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm (approx 1 Hour long)
on all nights, but a special 11pm to midnight tour will be available
only on the 30 October. All this takes place at the
Walled Garden, Croxteth Hall and Country Park, Liverpool L12 0HB.
Tickets on 21 October, the Launch Event cost:- £10.00 per person.
Other nights (28 October to 30 October 2012), they will cost:- £15.00
per person and £10.00 per child. Group discounts will be
available! Call:- 0151 546 5514 from 10pm to 3pm or
alternatively visit their
website and book now.
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