'A High Tide In Short Wellies' in Filey, England

Tag : Atlas Obscura

Situated along the main promenade overlooking the beaches and sea in Filey, is Finlay (as he is known locally), a 12-foot-tall steel sculpture by artist Ray Lonsdale. 

Donated to the town by Maureen Robinson in 2012, he looks out into the distance, while at his feet a rat attempts to steal his catch, wrapped in newspaper. Making the point about the decline in the fishing industry, on the newspaper is written a short poem, titled "A High Tide In Short Wellies." Written from the perspective of the fisherman who will "face the sea with a thousand mile stare / and wish that I was floating there."

Easily spotted and not too far from the lifeboat headquarters on the promenade, Finlay looks over the town's visitors as they pass him by.