Henry Pease Statue

Take a perambulation like the Victorians did along Marine Parade in Saltburn by-the-Sea and you will come across Henry Pease (1807 to 1881) made from scrap metal with adornments of things that were important to him and things he was known for.

His father, Joseph Pease (1799 to 1872) was instrumental in forming the Stockton and Darlington Railway. The family was subsequently involved and had other interests such as brick works, coal, iron limestone mining and banking.

Henry Pease was a founder of Saltburn in 1859. He was a Quaker, and a peacemaker. Pease for Peace would have made a good slogan! He was at one point the President of the Peace Society in London.

He met Tsar Nicholas I of Russia in 1854 (Crimean War) and Napoleon III of France in 1867 to ask them to renounce war.

Henry never lived in Saltburn, he lived near Darlington. He was a Liberal MP for South Durham 1857 to 1865, then became the first mayor of Darlington in 1867

As to how Saltburn was formed, from Tees Valley Museum:

“[..] in 1858, Henry was walking along the coast path towards Old Saltburn to visit his brother Joseph in Marske, when he saw 'a prophetic vision of a town arising on the cliff and the quiet, unfrequented and sheltered glen turned into a lovely garden.'

With help from his family, Henry bought land and employed George Dickinson to lay out a plan of the town according to his vision. This included the Station, Valley Gardens, the Pier, the magnificent Zetland Hotel and the 'jewel streets' along the sea front - Amber, Pearl, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Coral and Garnet. Most of the buildings were built from these specially made, pale-coloured bricks with the name 'Pease' stamped into them. Henry Pease became known as the founding father of Saltburn-by-the-Sea, and his name runs through the heart of the town like a stick of Saltburn rock.”

Pease formed the Saltburn Improvement Company, and developed the Pleasure Pier, which is the only one on this coast. I guess the other piers have Lighthouses, so they are not termed as pleasure piers.

The creators of this statue are husband and wife Michael Johnson (not the sprinter, born 1954), and Hilary Cartmel (born 1958). It was installed in 2002 and commissioned by The New Saltburn Improvement Company. Michael also produced the Vane Tempest (Three Pits) at Seaham. Henry Pease is more typical of Hilary's work.

There are many nuances with picks and the jewels (after the street names). It's a nice touch with the bow tie, signifying he was a man of wealth and taste. He was also known for his courtesy.

While in this spot, have a look at the Rose Arbours, which were initially created in the 1930s to gainfully employ those suffering during the Depression.

It's an amble along the Top prom to Andrew McKeown's Organism, and take the funicular down to the pier if you fancy. There's always the Fabulous North Map to study for more places to visit.