Seaham is a gorgeous little seaside town and Lickity Splits Creamery is amazing. Just in case you were wondering, I got marzipan, pistachio and bubblegum and O got cornish clotted cream and lemon meringue! Just beware of the dodgy seating system they have...
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Yesterday, O and I went for a jaunt to Seaham for the first time. Being newbie North Easterners, we love going on road trips to discover our new home. Our plan was to go sample Lickity Splits (more on this in another post), but as we parked the car we were greeted by this imposing gent!
Tommy sits close to the Terrace Green cenotaph on the Seaham seafront to commemorate the centenary of the start of the First World War. Created by local artist, Ray Lonsdale, Tommy sits head bowed, with a rifle in hand, as he reflects upon the horror of World War One during the first minute after peace was declared in 1918. The sculpture, built out of special corteen steel was named "1101" to reflect the moments after the Armistice was declared at 11am on 11 November 1918. He stands 9 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 1.2 tonnes. The piece also represents the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which many of the returning soldiers endured. Tommy will sit on the Seaham seafront for three months before moving on elsewhere (due to costs, I think). Tommy was surrounded by crowds of locals and visitors, it was difficult to get a photo of him on his own, let me tell you! The photos really don't do him any justice. When you're actually standing next to him, he towers over everyone, leaving you feeling very humbled. If you're in the area, I would seriously recommend visiting the lovely Tommy, he is majestic. Lonsdale also penned a poem engraved on the side of the sculpture entitled "Eleven 'O' One". |