Net cast wide in search for memorial to thousands of lost fishermen

AN INTERNATIONAL competition has been launched to find a design for a new £250,000 memorial to Hull’s 6,000 lost trawlermen.

The competition is seeking ideas for a “special place rather than simply a commemorative sculpture” to preserve the memory of those who died “and to mark their contribution to the life of the city and the nation”.

Designers now have a fortnight to submit expressions of interest.

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The memorial, which will have panoramic views over the Humber estuary, will be installed near the Sailmakers Arms pub on St Andrews Quay, where Lost Trawlermen’s Day has been held in recent years.

Three designs will be shortlisted, and the artists will receive honoraria of £3,000 each to produce models to go on show in an exhibition at the Maritime Museum, where the public can make their comments.

A panel, including two members from fishing heritage group Stand West Hull and Hessle MP Alan Johnson, will then make the final decision.

The memorial is expected to be in place by April 2014.

Stand has raised £160,000 to date but needs to find another £90,000. The charity’s chairman Charles Pinder said the £250,000 “was in proportion”, adding: “This means so much to this city.”

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He said: “We are delighted that Alan Johnson will add his voice to the final decision and we look forward to a strong display of interest in the competition.”

Council leader Stephen Brady added: “Stand has worked hard to fundraise for this project and it will be a significant historical and educational site for the city.”

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