Model of statue of Mexborough poet Ted unveiled

A statue of former Poet Laureate Ted Hughes, who lived in the town for 13 years, is earmarked for a spot on High Street as part of the Ted Hughes Heritage Trail initiative.

Now a 16-inch model of the legendary poet has been unveiled by sculptor Graham Ibbeson.

Graham, who is best known for his lifesize likeness of Eric Morecambe in the late comedian’s hometown, said he had produced the model - described as a maquette - to “instigate debate” and invite comments about his design.

The working model, the first version of a statue which would be funded by a £100,000 public appeal, captures the industrial heritage of the Dearne Valley with a part of a pit wheel and a smoking chimney.

Graham said he intended to cast the maquette in bronze and auction it to help cover some of the costs of its bigger brother.

Former Doncaster Mayor Peter Davies said the model looked “just like Ted” and was confident figures in the literary world would dig deep to help provide a fitting memorial for him.

Meanwhile, a book about Hughes has just missed out on a major literary prize.

Jonathan Bate’s book The Unauthorised Life was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize.

Hughes - a former Poet Laureate - spent his early life in Mytholmroyd in West Yorkshire but moved to Mexborough with his family where he attended the town’s grammar school.

It has been claimed that the countryside around Old Denaby inspired much of his poetry.

Last month, Ted Hughes’s widow Carol attacked Bate’s book, saying it contained factual errors and “damaging and offensive claims”.

Bate said he had tried to corroborate facts but had been hampered by Hughes’ family refusing to cooperate with his research.

It was announced two weeks ago that the prize winner was author Steve Silberman’s investigation into autism, Neurotribes.