WATCHET got a new figurehead this week – a six-foot lady with a trident, perched halfway up a wall.
Heads were turned when the imposing figure of Neptune’s wife suddenly appeared on the front of the town’s Esplanade Club – a gift from leading Scottish sculptor Alan Herriot, who regards Watchet as “my second home”.
Creator of the popular Yankee Jack and Ancient Mariner sculptures on The Esplanade, Alan was on holiday in Watchet last month, staying with Esplanade Club manager Roy Chave.
“He was looking at the nautical memorabilia in the club and said ‘I’ve got something you ought to have’,” Roy said.
“A few days after he went home to Scotland, this enormous parcel arrived in the post. The postman was convinced it was a corpse!
“Apparently, Alan had had the figurehead in his studio for ages, hoping to find it a good home. We’re delighted to have it.”
The figure was in plain white plaster and Alan insisted that it should be painted by local Watchet artist Pat Dennis, creator of the Old Mineral Yard mural, whose work he admired.
“It was a bit daunting following someone like Alan but I think it turned out OK,” Pat said.
Roy said the sculpture has already become a talking-point in the town: “Over 50 people have ‘liked’ it on Facebook and now we’re looking for a name.
“Everyone is welcome to make suggestions to the club and the winner will get a bottle of wine.”
Ray Waters, a holiday-maker from Worcester, said: “She certainly adds to the nautical flavour of the place. It seems to me she’s giving Yankee Jack the eye. Let’s hope the Ancient Mariner doesn’t get jealous!”