Discover Wyre

The Lost Trawlermen Memorial and The Fishing Community Memorial

Two memorials in the port recall and pays tribute to the trawlermen who lost their lives in the hunt for fish. The memorials celebrate Fleetwood's proud heritage and tell the story for future generations to learn and understand about this heritage.

The Lost Trawlermen Memorial sits beside the Asda Store on Dock Street which involves the funnel of the trawler Goth – trawled up and returned to Fleetwood nearly 50 years after the ship was lost. The Fishing Community Memorial sits on the promenade near the Lower Lighthouse. For more information take a visit to Fleetwood Museum to learn more about Fleetwood's heritage and fishing industry.

In 2017 Fleetwood Town Council proudly took over the custodianship of these two memorials.

Anita Lafford's 'Welcome Home Statue'

The Welcome Home Statue was sponsored by The Lofthouse Company who make the famous Fisherman's Friends Lozenges. The statue reminisces about the days when families with their faithful pet dog(s) would welcome the ships bringing their loved ones home after being at sea fishing for three weeks at a time. It was considered unlucky to wave them off at the start of the trip.

The bronze statue is a life size sculpture of a mother,children and the family dog and was unveiled in 1997. The dogs breed is a Lancashire Heeler.

Statue of Sir Peter Hesketh Fleetwood

Fleetwood Civic Society, Fleetwood Museum and Fleetwood Rotary Club worked together to put a statue of Fleetwood's founding father, Sir Peter Hesketh Fleetwood at the heart of the town which he founded. The statue is sited in Euston Gardens opposite The North Euston Hotel.

Funding came from various kind benefactors, including a substantial contribution from Mrs Lofthouse. Others came from the Haldane Trust and The Payback Time Trust along with individual bequests from local people. The statue is a bronze, created by sculptor Alan Ward from Lancaster.

Sir Peter was a descendant of Edmund Fleetwood, the first named person to reside at Rossall Hall. He was the man who put the town of Fleetwood on the map. Peter was Lord of the Manor, High Sheriff of the County of Lancashire and MP for Preston. It was after being knighted that he changed his name to Sir Peter Hesketh Fleetwood.

At this time, nearby Poulton-le-Fylde was the busy sea port for sailings to the America. But Sir Peter believed that Fleetwood held the makings of a busy seaport and popular resort. It had a river mouth, a natural sheltered harbour, golden sands, sea, air like wine and breathtaking views across Morecambe Bay. All that it lacked was a railway from Preston.

Peter Hesketh hired the prominent architect of the time, Decimus Burton. Work on the railway and the first buildings commenced in 1836.

Fleetwood Cherub Fountain/'Drinking' Fountain

The drinking fountain at the east side of the Esplanade in Euston Gardens was erected in memory of two fishermen who lost their lives in the attempt to save others.

During a violent storm in Morecambe Bay on 7 November 1890, a schooner was spotted in distress. A small boat was launched from the fishing boat, Osprey, and three fishermen were dispatched to rescue the crew. Although George Wilkinson, James Abram and George Greenall succeeded in rescuing the crew of three, the small boat was swamped by the turbulent seas and sank. Silver medals were awarded by the Royal National Life Institute to Wilkinson who was the only survivor, and to the captain James Fogg.

The fountain was erected in the latter part of the 19th century. Manufactured at the Saracen Foundry it is a modified example of casting number 19 (10’ 10” high.) A quatrefoil basin is supported by a wide base with four lion jambs symbolic of guardians. The stanchion and central column are decorated with acanthus relief. Four tendrils originally protruded from the column to suspend drinking cups on chains. The capital supports the finial, a putto holding a parasol, seated on a toadstool.

The fountain was listed a Grade II historic building in 1978.

The Obelisk, Fleetwood

This memorial occupies a central position in Euston Gardens on the Esplande in Fleetwood. It is one of several memorials in commemoration of people lost at sea, a grim reality for this coastal village that was once the most important fishing port in England. This memorial is to two men who lost their lives while successfully saving two others who were in danger.

It bears the following inscription: ‘Erected by public subscription to the memory of James Abram and George Greenall who lost their lives in the storm of November 1890 whilst heroically endeavouring to save others’.

In front of the Obelisk is a more recent memorial stone with another plaque. This stone also bears tribute to people who lost their lives at sea. It reads: ‘In memory of all those who have lost their lives at sea. Dedicated on 19th May 1985 by Admiral Sir Desmond Cassidi GCB’.

Helicopter crash memorial

On 27 December 2006, a helicopter was picking up workers from the rig in Morecambe Bay when it crashed into the sea killing everyone on board.

RNLI boatmen from Fleetwood brought the bodies back to shore at Fleetwood, which is why Sandra Potton, wife of the pilot Steve Potton, chose the spot adjacent to Fleetwood Lifeboat Station for the memorial.

Sandra Potton met the cost of the memorial herself. It’s a lectern style, dark grey granite plinth, etched with illustrations of a helicopter, gas rig and an RNLI boat, and a forget-me-not flower. The names of the men who lost their lives are commemorated as a permanent reminder for generations to come.