Work underway to bring £160k Captain James Cook statue to Stewart Park

Work is underway to raise funds for a statue to one of Middlesbrough’s most famous sons in Stewart Park.

A tribute to Captain James Cook will be built at the park in Marton, Middlesbrough - already home to the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum.

The £160,000 project gained momentum with the announcement in November of a £25,000 contribution to the fund, as part of Middlesbrough Council’s capital programme proposals.

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon said it was important to create a fitting tribute to the famous explorer in recognition of his contribution to the heritage of the town - and hopes the move will act as a catalyst to attract further external investment.

A Captain Cook statue has long been an ambition of the Friends of Stewart Park and Councillor Tom Mawston, chairman of the group, said: “A statue of Captain Cook in his birthplace at Stewart Park is long overdue, so this contribution from the capital programme is very welcome.

“The park is widely regarded as one of the jewels in Middlesbrough’s crown and would be a fitting location for such a tribute.”

Those behind the scheme are planning to bid for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, as well as appealing to local residents, groups and organisations to contribute both in cash and kind.

“We are now exploring funding opportunities, including a possible bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund which has already been instrumental in helping to transform the park into a fantastic amenity for the people of Middlesbrough and beyond,” continued Cllr Mawston.

“We’re also keen to hear from anyone who would like get involved, either by making a donation to the fund or offering their knowledge and expertise to the project.

“It’s a great chance to be part of something that will be enjoyed by generations to come.”

In recent years, a popular tribute to football legend Brian Clough was placed in Albert Park while a tribute to wartime Victoria Cross hero Stan Hollis is also due to be unveiled near the War Memorial close to the Albert Park gates, later in the year.

A statue to Captain Cook would complement the £9 million revamp of the park - part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund under the Parks for People scheme – which has seen a major overhaul of the Victorian estate buildings and the creation of a new visitor centre.

A key element of the restoration is a new play area featuring a play ship based on Cook’s Endeavour and a map of the explorer’s celebrated voyages of discovery.