Sean Hedges-Quinn chosen as sculptor for Gracie Fields statue

Sean Hedges-Quinn at work on a statue of Dad’s Army favourite Captain Mainwaring, played by Arthur Lowe

Sean Hedges-Quinn has been chosen to create a statue of Dame Gracie Fields.

Mr Hedges-Quinn, who is renowned for his ultra-realistic sculptures and attention to detail, has created props for top films including Skyfall and three of the Harry Potter series, as well as sculpting well-known figures including Sir Bobby Robson and Nat Lofthouse.

He said: “It’s clear that Gracie is a big part of Rochdale’s history and I’ve really enjoyed the hours I’ve spent poring over film footage of her and reading up on her. She was incredibly popular and even the Royal family were fans; she had tea with the Queen Mother on a number of occasions. It will be great to see Gracie honoured in her home town, particularly as so few successful female public figures have statues dedicated to them.”

Gracie Fields, who was made a Dame shortly before her death at the age of 81 in 1979, had a career spanning 60 years and was believed to be the highest paid actress in the world in the 1930s. She was born above a fish and chip shop owned by her grandmother, Sarah Bamford, in Molesworth Street. Mr Hedges-Quinn has decided to capture her during the 1940s.

Mr Hedges-Quinn explained: “Gracie preferred the stage to the screen, so I want to depict her on stage. I really want to capture her energy and will bring out her mannerisms, such as the fact that she swished her skirt a lot when she was performing.”

The statue, which will be sculpted in clay and cast in bronze, will be around seven and a half feet in height and stand on a plinth four feet tall. It will be erected in summer 2016 on land between Packer Street and the town hall.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/96017/rotary-club-tribute-to-gracie-fields-could-be-complete-by-spring-2016