The work of an esteemed Newark sculptor has been celebrated with the unveiling of the Kiddey Stones display and two town trails.
Four carved panels depicting stages of electricity production have today (July 17) been officially unveiled by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Vanessa Pickering, in their new permanent home outside Castle House, Newark — which the Lord Lieutenant described as a “fabulous moment”.
She added: “They will now be seen for generations to come… It shows this town cared enough to mark a period in history and the talents of an extraordinary artist.”
Deputy leader and portfolio holder for heritage, culture, and the arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council, Rowan Cozens, Mayor Barbara Corrigan, Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering, Lindah and Paul Kiddey, and Newark and Sherwood District Council chairman Linda Tift. Photo: Newark Advertiser
The panels are the work of Robert Kiddey (1900–1984), a Nottingham-born artist who made Newark his home, and taught for many years at it’s Technical College.
Among those present at the opening was Lindah Kiddey, the great niece of Robert Kiddey, who said it “would have made him smile” to see his works back on display at the civic building.
Kiddey’s great nephew, Paul Anthony Kiddey, added: “He’d have been really chuffed.”
Lindah and Paul Kiddey, relatives of Robert Kiddey. Photo: Newark AdvertiserThe Kiddey Stones at Castle House. Photo: Newark Advertiser
The stones were originally commissioned in 1957 by the electricity board for Wilford Power Station, and upon its demolition were removed and gifted to Newark Town Council.
They then spent four decades stored under tarpaulin out of the public’s sight, until a scheme was hatched by Newark and Sherwood District Council, supported by the town council, to put them back on display.
Now, they stand in pride of place in new casings where they can be seen for free.
Lindah added: “We’ve waited 40 years for this. The way Newark has displayed them — the engineering, the complementary brickwork — it’s magnificent.
“We couldn’t have asked for anything more tasteful.”
The new information board is unveiled. Photo: Newark AdvertiserThe Kiddey Stones at Castle House. Photo: Newark AdvertiserThe new information board, sponsored by the Kiddey family. Photo: Newark Advertiser
Speaking on behalf of the wider Kiddey family in her speech, she talked more intimately of the sculptor’s life.
A “friendly and very proper Edwardian gentleman, although flirtatious when in female company” who was always in a shirt even when sculpting, Kiddey lived in an “austere and spartan” home in the town.
Born into a poor family in St Ann’s, as a triplet, he was accepted into the Nottingham School of Art at 14, going on to exhibit at the Royal Academy in London and the Salon in Paris, sharing space with some of the most significant figures in 20th-century art, including Picasso and Epstein.
His artistic study was interrupted when he was 18, as he was conscripted into the Sherwood Forest Regiment and served during the first world war, after which he went on to further studies in Rome and Eastern Europe, before settling in Newark.
Throughout his life Kiddey completed many notable commissions across the district and county, including war memorials, panels in Southwell Minster and Newark College, and work on Nottingham City’s council house.
The Kiddey Trail and Threads of Time trail were launched, to take people on informative tours of the town. Photo: Newark AdvertiserThe intricate carvings by Robert Kiddey are now on display to the public once again. Photo: Newark AdvertiserLord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering officially opened the display. Photo: Newark Advertiser
“He was a dainty man of about 5’5”, with small hands and feet,” Lindah added.
“Those small hands sculpted huge sculptures.”
Alongside the four panels at Castle House, Kiddey’s wider legacy in the town will also be put in focus for residents and visitors’ with the new Kiddey Trail.
Calling at locations around the town — including the National Civil War Centre, his King Street studio, the Rowing Club, and Newark College among others — the self-guided trail will showcase his artwork as well as tell the tale of his extraordinary working life.
A second trail was also launched, called ‘Threads of Time’ it invites visitors to explore local history through a series of fascinating objects on display in the town.
Rowan Cozens, deputy leader and portfolio holder for heritage and culture at the district council, said: “It’s absolutely brilliant that the stones are back on display.
“They were given back to the people of Newark in 1987 and now everyone can see them free of charge, at one of the most important gateways into the town.
Deputy leader and portfolio holder for heritage, culture, and the arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council, Rowan Cozens speaking at the event. Photo: Newark AdvertiserThe Kiddey Stones at Castle House. Photo: Newark AdvertiserMayor Barbara Corrigan speaking at the unveiling of the Kiddey Stones. Photo: Newark Advertiser
“It comes at the time of exciting work at Newark Castle and Newark Parish Church, and its fits into the whole story.
“We are deeply proud of our heritage in Newark. The trails are a massive part of our community plan to get quality art out into the community.
“We’re bringing things out of storage and, with the Kiddey Trail, helping people realise what a massive impact he had on the district.”
The new display was also praised by Nottingham City councillor Michael Edwards, who represents the Meadows — the ward encompassing the former Wilford Power Station site.
Lindah Kiddey, great niece of sculptor Robert Kiddey, delivers her speech on behalf of the family. Photo: Newark AdvertiserThe four Kiddey Stones depicting electricity production, each made up of three carved sections. Photo: Newark Advertiser
“They deserve to be on display, so well done to Newark and Sherwood District Council,” he said.
“It’s fabulous, it gives you a real sense of place. It is a magical thing, putting them back together again.”
A speech was also given by Newark Mayor Barbara Corrigan, who spoke of the storytelling qualities of Kiddey’s artwork and the celebration of the legacy of a man who “gave so much to our town”.
To follow the new Kiddey Trail around the town and find out more, visit www.kiddeytrail.co.uk.
Both the trails begin at the National Civil War Centre, which is free to access for all Newark and Sherwood residents, and for those under 25 who live outside of the district.