Local heroes chosen by the community in Bury have been immortalised in steel portraits on National Cycle Network Route 6, as part of the ‘portrait benches’ project rolled out in recognition of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee year, thanks to funding from the Department for Transport.
The Portrait Benches sculpture of Colonel Eric Davidson. Credit: Davidson family
The families of ‘local heroes’ have welcomed sculptures celebrating their loved ones’ contribution to Bury.
Colonel Eric Davidson MBE DL and artist Mary Edyvean have been immortalised in steel on a local section of the National Cycle Network, Route Six.
As part of a national campaign by walking and cycling charity, Sustrans, residents in the area were invited to have their say on who they believed had made a positive impact on their local community in the last seven decades, in celebration of the UK’s longest-reigning monarch.
'A popular choice'
Colonel Eric Davidson was a popular choice as he had organised the annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and remembrance parades in Bury for over six decades.
He was Founder and President of the Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Lancashire, Chairman of the Fusiliers Association and a Director of the Fusilier Museum.
In 2002, Colonel Eric was appointed as a Deputy Lord Lieutenant and in 2015 made an Honorary Freeman of Bury.
Now the ‘portrait bench’ sculpture commemorates his service to the place he made his home more than 60 years ago.
Colonel Eric Davidson organised the annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and remembrance parades in Bury for over six decades. Credit: Davidson family
Michelle Davidson said the family is honoured that her father, who passed away in 2022, has been acknowledged in such a way.
She said: “We all live very close to ‘The Lines’ as the path is known locally so to have this on our doorstep is brilliant. We use the path a lot and we can stop and see him any time. He was very well known in Bury and outside the area and we’re immensely proud of all that he achieved in his lifetime.
“We’ve had lots of people comment on his sculpture and the more we talk to people, the more we hear about what he did to help others. Even though he retired many years ago, he took on many roles after, but he was very humble.”
Local artist and sculptor Mary Edyvean. Credit: Edyvean family
Another bench in Bury celebrates renowned local artist and sculptor, Mary Edyvean.
She was heavily involved with Bury Arts Society, serving as both Chair and Vice-President, and worked tirelessly to secure the future of the society in Bury.
Working primarily in watercolours and pastel, Mary's favourite subjects were landscapes and flowers; she exhibited widely both locally and nationally.
Mary Edyvean pictured at work. Credit: Edyvean family
Mary was born in Bury in 1933 and passed away, aged 88, in 2021 but she is still highly regarded by the members of Bury Arts Society which established the Mary Edyvean Award for Flower Painting in her honour in 2016.
Mary’s daughters, Jane and Elaine, said: “We are delighted to see this lasting tribute to our wonderful, talented mum in the village she called home, and a place where she loved to walk.
“Our mum was a fabulous artist and sculptor, who gave so much to the local art scene, and to see her immortalised as a piece of art is a fitting accolade to everything she did.”
National Cycle Network at heart of community
Carole Patrick, National Cycle Network Director, said: “We’re delighted to see ‘Colonel Eric’ and Mary Edyvean recognised in this way for everything they have given to the Bury area. They were at the heart of their community, and we know that the National Cycle Network is also much-loved in local communities. We’re committed to ensuring that the National Cycle Network continues to offer opportunities to as many people as possible to walk, wheel, cycle, and run, and that the Network celebrates our local communities, cultures, and heritage.”
We are custodians of the National Cycle Network, which spans 12,000 miles of signed cycling routes including over 5,000 miles of traffic-free paths. We continue to improve the network locally as part of the England-wide ‘Paths for Everyone’ programme.
In total, a series of 30 new life-sized steel figures have been installed across England. They complement the existing 250 figures which were installed as part of the Portrait Bench campaign over 14 years ago. They’ve been designed and fabricated by renowned artists Katy and Nick Hallett and have been installed at 14 of the most popular cycle paths across the National Cycle Network.
Signage on National Cycle Network Route 6. Credit: Sustrans
