'Wooden Dolly', Northumberland Square, North Shields

Image: © Geoff Holland Taken: 26 Nov 2020

This is the fifth wooden dolly to have been erected in North Shields but the first to be located in Northumberland Square. It was erected in 1958 and was based on the fourth wooden dolly, a lifelike representation of a traditional Cullercoats fishwife with her shawl and creel. It was carved from a single piece of mahogany by the celebrated sculptor and furniture maker Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson and features two of the artist's signature concealed mice. However, by 2019, the dolly was showing serious signs of rot, and was therefore transported to the 'Mouseman' workshop in Kilburn, North Yorkshire, where it was originally carved, for restoration. In September 2020, the restored wooden dolly, seen here, was returned to Northumberland Square where it can now be admired. The sixth wooden dolly, which appeared in 1992, can be seen on the Custom House Quay site where the first four wooden dollies were located https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3582630. For a selection of detailed free to download walking routes in the area visit www.northtynesidewalks.co.uk

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