North East Statues

For over 100 years the Linthorpe Stag has watched over the village. Standing on top of the building once known as Winterschladen’s (a wine and spirit sellers), the Stag has endured the many changes that have taken place beneath it.

In his wonderful book ”Linthorpe and its Village”, the late Paul Stephenson discussed the significance and history of the Stag,

“[A] prominent survivor from the earliest days of the twentieth century is the locally famous ‘Stag’. Known over the years as the ‘Golden Hind’ and later the ‘Stag’, its origins and purpose seem to be lost in time. Elderly residents remember the Golden Hind’ from Edwardian days.”

It’s not known whose work the piece is, and an attempt to have the Stag listed in a protection order in 2012/13 came to naught, but it still remains above what is now a cafe.

Broken Antlers

The stag’s antlers have been a bone (sorry) of contention over the years. I had a lovely chat with the irrepressible Rene Porteous, who told me the story behind them.

According to Rene, the originals were damaged in a bombing raid in the war (we’re looking for confirmation on this if anyone has any), and the stag remained antler-less for about 50 years until – in or around 1991 – artist Glynn Porteous was commissioned by Stag Properties to create a replacement set.

For the princely sum of £100, Glynn created the fine antlers you can see in the newspaper cutting above. The new pair were made using modelling clay over metal armatures, and took about a week to complete.

Glynn wasn’t happy with the incorrect positioning of the antlers (Rene told me they were stuck on wrong by a tradesman), but his fear of heights prevented him from going up to adjust them.

Unfortunately the antlers tended to attract the attention of locals who’d had a few drinks. Underwear was sometimes seen hanging from them, and they were eventually broken off and taken by persons unknown.

A new set were commissioned and completed by an as-yet unidentified artist whose work is – as you can see – not exactly of the same standard as Porteous’s, being more in the coat-rack neighborhood than the cervine.

UPDATE – THE PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN ANTLERIST CONTACTED US IN MAY 2024. HERE’S HIS STORY:

“So just read your interesting history of the Linthorpe Stag. I have to claim the unfortunate antlers I’m afraid! During the mid nineties I was a graduate studying design and marketing at the University. My Dad, Robin was one of the financial brokers at Stag Property Services. His boss and proprietor asked him if he knew anyone that could fix the recently vandalised antlers. My dad knowing I was a bit handy and had access to the metalwork shop in the University product design department suggested I do it.

I spent a rather nervous morning climbing up onto the roof, (not great with heights!) removing the old antlers and taking measurements to work out how to create a new set.

I spent the next week in the workshop, probably to the detriment of my ultimate 2:1 degree, finally cutting, bending and welding the monstrosity you see today. I then wrapped the steel bars with fibreglass and tried to make them look at least a little like the antlers they deserved to be… I’m afraid I failed and the results are what you see today.

I presented them back to the owner of the Property Services office, I was amazed by his positive reaction as I fully expected to be told to ‘get lost’ when asked him for my remuneration.

I cannot take full responsibility, my brother Steve helped me mount the antlers using the anchor bolts and then we liberally smothered the whole thing in the silver paint you see today.

I live in Whitley Bay now but often get back to Boro to visit my Dad who is convinced ‘our repair’ is still standing and no significant works have been required since 1995.

So there you go, a little bit of relatively insignificant Boro history restored…

Keep up the good work love the blog!

Regards

Jason Legget“

Another mystery solved, and it seems a fear of heights is a prerequisite for antler technicians.

Thanks to Rene for her time and the newspaper cutting, as well as Katie Lunn for the newer photo. Thanks also to Jason Legget, Richard Winterschladen and Norman Austick for their contributions.