Fielden Wharf ~ from the beginning
Return to projects The Fielden Wharf Project
This is Fielden Wharf prior to renovation work beginning in 2003
In 2003 Todmorden began a major refurbishement of Fielden Wharf. As can be seen in the first photograph, it was in a very sorry state and something major was needed to bring it to life!
Todmorden News excerpt, 22nd April 2005
" Fielden Wharf had been another blot on the landscape for well over a decade but just over two years ago it was given a much needed facelift as part of a concerted drive for Todmorden to become a major tourist spot.
It was later nominated for a National Waterways Renaissance Award and an Action for Market Towns Award, after it was set up as an amenity station for use by boat users, incorporating toilets, washing facilities and other essential services.
Todmorden Pride Partnership Board, with the support of Calderdale Council and Yorkshire Forward, carried out work costing £170,000 to transform the once derelict site into a high quality canal side amenity."
Once the main renovation work was completed, Todmorden in Bloom received
a £5599 'People's Places' award from BTCV, which they used to comission,
along with Todmorden Pride, a Fish Sculpture. This was done as part of the 'Town Artist' project,
between appointed town artist Alan Pergusey and Todmorden Pride.
Local Sculptor, Nik Green was approached to make the fish,
which resulted in a fabulous focal point for Todmorden!
Nik at work in the workshop cutting the boulders The finished boulders, with his first 'fish' design.
from sheets of stainless steel
Fixing the 'boulder' planters to the gabion wall The planters in situ, with the orginal fish prototype
'Boulder' planters in place ... Back to the drawing board, Nik's design for the
wall of fish ~
The first of the fish finished and waiting in his workshop... The drawings come to life, and the finished fish are ready...
Fixing the fish, securely, to the gabion wall... Planters are purchased by Tod in Bloom and fixed to the wharf
The finished result...
SPECTACULAR!!!!!!
...and what a contrast!
From this........ .....To this....!
An explanation of the Chinese Symbols on the sign:
The Chinese word for fish (yu) is phoneticaly identical with the word meaning 'abundance, affluence '
so the fish symbolises wealth. In the oldest Chinese literature, when the fish swam up-river in shoals,
this was interpreted as 'rebellion' against the social order and as a harbinger of civil unrest.
The two symbols on the right are shan-shui. Literally 'mountains, water'.
Together they mean 'landscape'. The mountain with everything around it; woods and waters;
clouds and mists; and a thousand other details drawn together in one indisoluble unity.
(W Eberhard;A dictionary of Chinese symbols. Routledge.)
Click here to see what happened to the Sonarga restaurant site...
last updated 30/03/07