Wainwright statue plan criticised

Alfred Wainwright's guides were first published in 1955

A relative of Lake District author Alfred Wainwright has criticised plans for a statue in memory of the reclusive writer.

Wainwright, who died in 1991, is famed for his Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells.

A bronze statute is planned for Kendal, the Cumbrian town where he lived for more than 50 years.

But his nephew Jack Fish said the author "hated show" and had blocked similar plans in the 1980s.

The mayor of Kendal, Clare Feeney-Johnson, said permission had been granted from the Wainwright family estate.

But Mr Fish, from Blackburn, said: "He had said a definite 'no' in the 1980s when it was suggested that a statue would be made of him.

Hated limelight

"I'm just supporting that, I think it's wrong to overcome his feelings on this matter."

Mr Fish said a bridge, a beer and a shire horse had already been named after his uncle.

He added: "He hated show and didn't like being in the limelight.

"All the books that he's written, they're his memorial. They brought so much pleasure to so many people."

Potential candidates to create the sculpture, which could cost up to £60,000, include Graham Ibbeson, whose statue of comedian Eric Morecambe is on the seafront in Morecambe, Lancashire.

Ms Feeney-Johnson said: "We really would just like to celebrate his works. He loved Kendal and we're very proud of him and his achievements."

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