Hartlepool's tribute to Hollywood director moving forward

A shot from Ridley Scott's Boy & Bicycle film in Lynn Street, West Hartlepool

Hartlepool's Transport Interchange has been selected as the chosen location for a new statue recognising Hollywood director Sir Ridley Scott's links to the town.

A life-size sculpture of Boy & Bicycle from Sir Ridley’s 1962 black and white short film is due to be installed by Hartlepool Borough Council.

It is one of two public artwork projects that the council has secured funding for from the Coastal Communities Fund to undertake two public artwork projects.

The Transport Interchange where a statue of Ridley Scott's Boy & Bicycle film is due to be installed.

Sir Ridley, who hails from South Shields, made the film of a boy, played by Sir Ridley’s late brother Tony Scott, pedalling through the streets while he was studying his future craft at the Royal College of Art in London.

He previously attended West Hartlepool College of Art from 1954 to 1958.

The authority says the location ties in with the area where the film was made, and will be seen by lots of people who pass through the transport interchange on a daily basis.

An application for planing permission has been lodged for the installation of the sculpture.

Supporting documents state: “The artwork is intended to be life-sized and accessible, creating a ‘set’ that visitors can walk in to.

“The layout is based on a scene in the short Ridley Scott film ‘Boy and Bicycle’ where the character of the boy cycles along Church Street with his back to Christ Church.

“As the railway station is a well used facility by visitors to the town it will help provide a feature that reflects on the industrial heritage of the town through the use of the weathering steel material, and celebrates the achievements of people involved with the town (Sir Ridley Scott having early links to Hartlepool).

“It is also intended that an information panel is provided on one of the outer panels to explain the context to the artwork.”

The proposals add: “The nature of the sculpture, dedicated to a major figure in the creative industries, also supports the intentions of the Innovation and Skills Quarter (ISQ) within the Church Street area.”

Sir Ridley went on to become one of Hollywood’s biggest directors, making a host of classic movies including Blade Runner, Alien, Thelma and Louise and Gladiator.

A second piece of art funded through the Coastal Communities Fund and entitled Waves by local artists Stuart Langley was recently approved at Seaton Reach in Seaton Carew.