King's Lynn: New whale appeal launched for Harding's Pits

The creature, carved from a single tree trunk, stood at the entrance to the Harding's Pits Doorstep Green, in King's Lynn, for almost 20 years.

But the weather, vandalism and rot have taken their toll and the whale has now had to be dismantled.

Harding’s Pits Community Association (HPCA) hopes to secure a metal sculpture to stand at the pits, which lie close to the home of Lynn's whaling fleet from the 16th to early 19th century.

The whale being installed at Harding's Pits in 2006 (Image: Ian Burt)

"The whale was installed at Harding’s Pits shortly after it was established as a doorstep green - without him it simply wouldn’t be the Pits,” said HCPA chair Rob Archer.

"Sadly Ben Platts-Mills the sculptor who carved him from two tree trunks is no longer alive, but in any case we have to accept that wood is not the best material if the replacement is going to last.

"We have to find an artist in metal – and the money to pay them."

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The entrance to Harding's Pits in King's Lynn (Image: Chris Bishop)

The whale, installed in 2006, was the centrepiece of the pits - a five-acre area of land close to the Great Ouse and Nar Loop, where the whale ships berthed and returned from Greenland with their cargo, which was boiled up for lamp oil.

The cost of a replacement is not yet known. HCPA hopes to apply for funding from West Norfolk council's community infrastructure levy (CIL), which pays for community projects from levies paid by developers.

First it must show that there is support for its bid. 

"To be successful this requires community support," said Mr Archer.

"To help please fill in and sign one of our application forms. We are going to need at least 50 – 100 would be better still."

Forms are available from rob.archer75@btinternet.com.