The work of an esteemed Newark sculptor has been celebrated with the unveiling of the Kiddey Stones display and two town trails.<\/p>\n
Four carved panels depicting stages of electricity production have today (July 17) been officially unveiled by His Majesty\u2019s Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Vanessa Pickering, in their new permanent home outside Castle House, Newark \u2014 which the Lord Lieutenant described as a \u201cfabulous moment\u201d.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cThey will now be seen for generations to come\u2026 It shows this town cared enough to mark a period in history and the talents of an extraordinary artist.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
The panels are the work of Robert Kiddey (1900\u20131984), a Nottingham-born artist who made Newark his home, and taught for many years at it\u2019s Technical College.<\/p>\n
Among those present at the opening was Lindah Kiddey, the great niece of Robert Kiddey, who said it \u201cwould have made him smile\u201d to see his works back on display at the civic building.<\/p>\n
Kiddey\u2019s great nephew, Paul Anthony Kiddey, added: \u201cHe\u2019d have been really chuffed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lindah and Paul Kiddey, relatives of Robert Kiddey. Photo: Newark Advertiser
The Kiddey Stones at Castle House. Photo: Newark Advertiser<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
They then spent four decades stored under tarpaulin out of the public\u2019s sight, until a scheme was hatched by Newark and Sherwood District Council, supported by the town council, to put them back on display.<\/p>\n
Now, they stand in pride of place in new casings where they can be seen for free.<\/p>\n
Lindah added: \u201cWe\u2019ve waited 40 years for this. The way Newark has displayed them \u2014 the engineering, the complementary brickwork \u2014 it\u2019s magnificent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe couldn\u2019t have asked for anything more tasteful.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new information board is unveiled. Photo: Newark Advertiser
The Kiddey Stones at Castle House. Photo: Newark Advertiser
The new information board, sponsored by the Kiddey family. Photo: Newark Advertiser<\/p>\n
Speaking on behalf of the wider Kiddey family in her speech, she talked more intimately of the sculptor\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
A \u201cfriendly and very proper Edwardian gentleman, although flirtatious when in female company\u201d who was always in a shirt even when sculpting, Kiddey lived in an \u201caustere and spartan\u201d home in the town.<\/p>\n
Born into a poor family in St Ann\u2019s, 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s council house.<\/p>\n
The Kiddey Trail and Threads of Time trail were launched, to take people on informative tours of the town. Photo: Newark Advertiser
The intricate carvings by Robert Kiddey are now on display to the public once again. Photo: Newark Advertiser
Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering officially opened the display. Photo: Newark Advertiser<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a dainty man of about 5\u20195\u201d, with small hands and feet,\u201d Lindah added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose small hands sculpted huge sculptures.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alongside the four panels at Castle House, Kiddey\u2019s wider legacy in the town will also be put in focus for residents and visitors\u2019 with the new Kiddey Trail.<\/p>\n
Calling at locations around the town \u2014 including the National Civil War Centre, his King Street studio, the Rowing Club, and Newark College among others \u2014 the self-guided trail will showcase his artwork as well as tell the tale of his extraordinary working life.<\/p>\n
A second trail was also launched, called \u2018Threads of Time\u2019 it invites visitors to explore local history through a series of fascinating objects on display in the town.<\/p>\n
Rowan Cozens, deputy leader and portfolio holder for heritage and culture at the district council, said: \u201cIt\u2019s absolutely brilliant that the stones are back on display.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey 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.<\/p>\n
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 Advertiser
The Kiddey Stones at Castle House. Photo: Newark Advertiser
Mayor Barbara Corrigan speaking at the unveiling of the Kiddey Stones. Photo: Newark Advertiser<\/p>\n
\u201cIt comes at the time of exciting work at Newark Castle and Newark Parish Church, and its fits into the whole story.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re bringing things out of storage and, with the Kiddey Trail, helping people realise what a massive impact he had on the district.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new display was also praised by Nottingham City councillor Michael Edwards, who represents the Meadows \u2014 the ward encompassing the former Wilford Power Station site.<\/p>\n
Lindah Kiddey, great niece of sculptor Robert Kiddey, delivers her speech on behalf of the family. Photo: Newark Advertiser
The four Kiddey Stones depicting electricity production, each made up of three carved sections. Photo: Newark Advertiser<\/p>\n
\u201cThey deserve to be on display, so well done to Newark and Sherwood District Council,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fabulous, it gives you a real sense of place. It is a magical thing, putting them back together again.\u201d<\/p>\n
A speech was also given by Newark Mayor Barbara Corrigan, who spoke of the storytelling qualities of Kiddey\u2019s artwork and the celebration of the legacy of a man who \u201cgave so much to our town\u201d.<\/p>\n