Mayor Elisha McCallion with the Brook Park ‘Black Man’ statue: Photo By Lorcan Doherty Photography
WORK has just begun this week on one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, as the Robert Ferguson statue in Brooke Park, known locally as the ‘Black Man’, is restored to its former glory by a local bronze specialist.
The statue of former local MP Robert Alexander Ferguson, has greeted visitors to the park since 1927.
But few people probably know much about the subject let alone the piece’s pedigree in terms of the artist behind the 153-year-old statue.
The work to restore the striking statue has been commissioned as part of the massive regeneration of what’s fondly become known as the People’s Park here in Derry.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Elisha McCallion, said she was looking forward to seeing the completed piece.
“I think every child growing up in Derry will remember the huge statue towering over the entrance to the park. The regeneration work is advancing well and I know that people are really looking forward to seeing the park restored to its former glory.
“The work on the Ferguson statue will remind the public of the park’s colourful history, and I hope encourage people to find out more about its unique story. To have a piece of such historic significance on public display really is a fantastic asset for the park.”
The statue was first commissioned in 1860 following the death of Sir Robert Alexander Ferguson who was Mayor of the city in 1830, as well as MP for the area from the same year until his death in 1860.
Born in 1796, the Ferguson family were among the leading figures in the city’s landed gentry with numerous properties across the city including ‘The Farm’ beside Boom Hall, as well as large estates in Castlederg, Castlefin and other districts of Tyrone and Donegal.
On his death the local corporation thought it would be a fitting tribute to commission a sculpture of Sir Robert, to be placed in the Diamond overlooking the city to which he had devoted his life.
The appointed sculptor was John Edward Jones, famous for capturing the likenesses of prominent historical figures such as Prince Louis Napoleon of France, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, the Duke of Wellington and Daniel O’Connell.
The Irish sculptor was a favourite among the great and the good of London society and a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy.
His work on the Sir Robert Alexander Ferguson statue is thought to be his only recorded public sculpture.
From 1863 the Robert Alexander Ferguson statue stood proudly at the top of Shipquay Street for 64 years before it was removed to Brooke Park in 1927 to make way for the new War Memorial.
Woodvale Construction Ltd has now appointed bronze specialist Edward Barrett Barton from Ballynure in Co. Antrim to restore the seven foot sculpture to reveal the beauty of the original bronze beneath removing decades of weathering.
His work will involve stripping off the old layers of paint and repagination of the original bronze work.
And he said he looks forward to the challenge of bringing out the best in what is such an important historic artefact for the city.
Paul Mullan, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund NI, added their support, saying: “Our Parks for People programme has supported the regeneration of historic public parks across the UK and we are delighted to see Brooke Park’s exciting restoration project moving forward.
“The team have been working hard on the whole park so it’s great to see another piece of the extensive heritage restoration work revealed.
“Once completed and reopened Brooke Park will be an amazing heritage resource which will complement the rest of the heritage attractions in the area.
“It is thanks to National Lottery players that HLF can help make these heritage projects happen across NI.”
It’s proposed that the statue will be rededicated at part of the Brooke Park official opening planned for the 6thAugust 2016 – exactly 115 years to the day when Brooke Park was opened to the public as ‘The People’s Park’.
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