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ANDY CAPP

A £20,000 bronze statue of Andy Capp was unveiled in June 2007, by Jean Smythe, the widow of Hartlepool-born cartoonist, Reg Smythe. The statue can be seen in Croft Terrace next to the Harbour of Refuge public house. A few photos of Andy's statue can be seen on this page and dedicated to the late Reg Smythe - a native son of Hartlepool.

One of Hartlepool's most famous sons is cartoonist, Reg Smythe, who created the character Andy Capp. In June 2007 a statue of Andy was officially unveiled by Reg's widow Jean. The five feet high bronze effigy of the loveable rascal - who has entertained generations since he first appeared in the Daily Mirror in 1957 - can be seen on the seafront near the Harbour of Refuge public house in Croft Terrace. The £20,000 statue was paid for by the North Hartlepool Partnership with the help of a £2,000 donation from the Daily Mirror. The statue itself was created by Shropshire artist Jane Robbins and captures Andy in a typically relaxed pose.

Someone commented about Andy not having his usual cigarette in his mouth. Mrs Smythe said that Reg had stopped smoking and therefore had decided to make Andy a non smoker!

At the base of the statue there's a plaque which reads "Andy Capp Created by Reg Smythe." You can see a full size photograph by clicking on the frame in the left hand navigation pane.

I once saw, on another website, that someone had taken a photograph of the statue from behind. So thanks to that person for giving me the idea to do the same. Here, Andy overlooks the Town Wall, the Pilot's Pier Lighthouse and Hartlepool Bay. Across the bay is old Middleton and the Marina. In the distance, on the right, you can just see the floodlight pylons at Hartlepool Football Club's Victoria Park and the masts of HMS Trincomalee.

Different time, different day.

I found that late afternoon is an ideal time to take photographs of the Andy Capp statue. The road is usually traffic free at this time because the pub next door will have finished serving its lunchtime menus. The Harbour of Refuge, known locally at the "Pot House" can be viewed from our navigation pane.

I bet the gentleman just coming up the steps didn't expect to be on this photograph - or, indeed, on my website. I will try to find out who he is and give him a copy of the photograph.

A popular little man

If we want North East England to flourish, we need to continue to work together to raise awareness of the region as a fantastic place to live, work, study, visit, do business and invest. With North East England you can play your part
 

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