Pateley’s ‘Angel of the North’ to be unveiled

Joseph Hayton working on his project, Pillars Past to be erected in Pateley Bridge as part of a series of art installations along the Way of the Roses Cycle route from Morcame Bay to Bridlington. (Picture by Paul Harris)

Today, Tuesday, is the big day for what’s been dubbed Pateley Bridge’s very own ‘Angel of the North’.

The launch of the three monumental figures of Pillars Past amid the outdoors beauty of the Dales is set to embody not only the ancient skills of stone carving but has been designed to show visitors something about the uniqueness of the heritage of Nidderdale.

Two years in the making and carved from high quality Yorkshire sandstone from Johnsons Wellfield Quarries, the sculpture is located on the Nidd Walk at The Old Railway Turntable and has been designed and carved by young local sculptor Joseph Hayton as part of the Way of the Roses public art trail Travelling Histories.

Joseph orginally won the public art commission in 2012 to develop his exciting idea for a stone carving.

The three two-metre figures will represent Agriculture, Mining and the Monastic heritage, all of which were influential in shaping the landscape around Pateley Bridge.

From his original small models Joseph developed life size clay figures which ,when they had been cast in plaster of Paris became the working models from which the stone could be carved using the age old 3 dimensional measuring method using a ‘pointing machine’.

From distant view the sculpture is meant the appearance of ancient ‘standing stones’ with the natural hewn stone face being prominent

The talented craftsman, who completed his carving apprenticeship in advanced masonry at York College and Yorkshire Stone Craft, said: “It’s been a fantastic opportunity to be able to make a stone carving for Pateley Bridge. I am looking forward to as many people as possible coming to see it.”

Today, young students from St Cuthbert Primary school and Ripley School were set to meet Joe at the site to find out more about the sculpture. The official opening of the sculpture takes place next Tuesday, October 28.

To accompany the work, there will be an exhibition of the drawings and working models open to the public at number 6 studio gallery, The Old Workhouse, Pateley Bridge next Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am-5pm.