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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Dunbartonshire => Topic started by: spanton on Thursday 09 June 11 09:33 BST (UK)
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I am trying to find out more about John LONGDEN and The Runner sculpture
b 1882 Ashton under Lyne Lancs.
Found in 1891 and 1901 census in England.
According to a sculptor database he was an active sculptor in the 1920's.
Address 11 Drumry Road, Clydebank.
His brother Edward presented a bronze sculpture by John of The Runner to Manchester City Council in 1959.
This was stolen in 1968 and I have only found 1 photo.
According to new information John LONGDEN was a baillie in Clydebank and worked at Tullis's.
Apparently there used to be a statue of a running man on the canopy of Bishopbriggs Sports Centre. There was also a plaster version in the Clydebank public library.
Would really love to find out more and any photos would be excellent.
Here is the one that used to be in Manchester. I would love to get a replica made.
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This mention looks worth following up on:
www.kirkintilloch-herald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/eric_liddell_statue_found_in_bishopbriggs_1_362348
Monica :)
PS: Just adding a link to the Lancashire post with what has already been found www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,537227.0.html
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Is this the same statue but different location?
www.flickr.com/photos/scottish_rose/4420529461/
Added: Can't be the same, arms are in a different position. Might be worth double checking the name of the sculptor to see whether it is John Longdon (sculpture look very similar) may have done more that one sculpture as part of this theme?
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Ahhh, the statue by John Longdon was not of Eric Liddle it would seem.
See this update of the story of the Bishopsbrigg Sportscentre sculpture www.kirkintilloch-herald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/liddell_riddle_is_solved_1_362386
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Thanks Monica.
I don't think the photo on flickr is the same. That photo is a typical Eric Liddell finish line action pose.
However, the newpaper article does mention an Eric Liddell statue hidden away in the cupboards.
This could be another sculpture by John Longden if he was sculpting in the 1920's.
I will try and contact the Bishopbriggs Sports Centre.
Meanwhile if anyone has any info on the copy in the public library I would love to hear more
thanks Monica
Glenn
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Not sure if you saw the last bit from the paper with more detail www.kirkintilloch-herald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/liddell_riddle_is_solved_1_362386
A couple of places for you to follow up would be with the newspaper itself to see what photo archive they may have (the link is just for text). They may well have followed up with photographs.
The sports centre itself may have a photo archive going back to when it first opened in the late 1970s.
And, as always with these things, the local library may well be able to help with reference material.
Monica
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This is a photo of the 'Runner' in Heaton Park, link shrunk from Google books www.rootschat.com/links/0do2/
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Thanks Monica
Great newspaper link but shame it is only text. The trail is certainly getting warmer.
All I need now is some photos of that statue at Bishopbriggs! There must be one somewhere!
I will try the sportscentre, newspaper and local archives.
As we are approaching Olympic year I would like to get a replica made for my local area-Ashton Under Lyne where John LONGDEN was born. It would also be good to get that statue out of storage and on display for 2012 in Clydebank.
Thanks again Glenn
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As Barbara mentions in the other post, let us know how you get on :)
Monica
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Did either of you have any success in finding a pic of the Bishopbrioggs statue - if so, I'd be very interested to see it
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Hi, I got very warm and sent emails to a local paper and the Bishopbriggs sports centre. The latter confirmed they had this statue in store and i was welcome to come in and photograph it anytime. As i am in Manchester this was not practical and i did email a couple of times asking very politely if anyone could take a picture for me. Alas i received no relpies and reached a dead end. I would love to see a photo of the statue and see it on display somewhere.
Copies below of some of the emails I sent.
First one
Good morning.
I am on the trail of the sculpture John LONGDEN born 1882 in my local area Ashton Under Lyne, Lancs.
He moved to Clydebank and was a sculptor in the 1920's.
One of his sculptures of a runner was in Manchester 1960-1969 but it got stolen.
I am trying to track down some photos of the statue and have found it a similar statue by John was reported in your local paper.
Wed 2nd Dec 2009
http://www.kirkintilloch-herald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/liddell_riddle_is_solved_1_362386
There was another article on 17th Nov 2009
http://www.kirkintilloch-herald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/eric_liddell_statue_found_in_bishopbriggs_1_362348
The links on the web only has text.
I am really hoping to find some photos of this statue as I would like to get a replica made for our local area.
Please let me know if you have any photos of The Runner statue that was at Bishopbriggs Sports Centre.
Thank you in advance
Second one
For the attention of the Manager leisuredrome[replace with 'at' sign]eastdunbarton.gov.uk
I am researching the story of John LONGDEN who was born in my local town Ashton Under Lyne, Lancashire 1883.
He eventually moved to Clydebank and was a sculptor. One of his works was The Runner and this was presented to Manchester City Council in 1960 but stolen in 1968.
I am trying to get a copy made for his home town but i have only one photo.
It now appears that John LONGDEN made other statues of Runners and one used to be on the canopy of the Bishopbriggs Sports Centre and another copy in the public library.
I have found a newspaper report from the Kirkintilloch Herald 17th Nov 2009 that mentions the statue is locked away in a cupboard at the leisure centre.
See
http://www.kirkintilloch-herald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/eric_liddell_statue_found_in_bishopbriggs_1_362348
A later article mentions it is not Eric Liddell but another runner.
It would be absolutely brilliant if I could get some photos of this statue from different angles so we are able to get a good replica made and John LONGDEN can be recognised in his place of birth (especially leading up to Olympics 2012)
It would also be worth finding out if anyone has any plans to put it back on display in Clydebank.
I have been working on this for some time now and I would really appreciate some photos. (and possibly any contact for who will decide on the fate of this statue)
You could email them as attachments if that is easier.
I could mention anyone in press releases etc.
I thank you in advance for your time in reading this and look forward to hearing from you
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Thanks - I'll let you know if and when I get anywhere. Up in Glasgow in a few weeks so may try to pop up to Bishopbriggs if I get time
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I may be wrong but I seem to remember a statue called "The Runner" in Clydebank library,could they help you at all. I should warn you not to hold your breath. It took me over six months to get the ownership of a lair in Kilbowie cemetery verified by the council
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See www.sportingstatues.com for some pics of the Bishopbriggs statue - I'll be adding a little more detail in the next few days
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Look forward to hearing more.
Great news you got some photos. Love the website by the way.
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Hi my great grandfather is John Longden. I have older relatives (two generations older) who know a lot more about him and could tell you practically anything you need to know. Give me a list of questions and I'll ask my grandmother. The only knowledge I have off the top of my head is that the statue is now in storage and has not been melted down. More than willing to help.
Jagen123
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Hi
That sounds great :-)
Things I'd like to know...
i) Who paid for each of the statues to be cast?
ii) Am I right in thinking that there was one cast in bronze for Manchester, one cast in Sindal for Bishopriggs and one plaster copy in Clydebank Library - were there any more?
iii) the Manchester statue has a plaque on the plinth - do you know what it said?
iv) Did either the Bishoprigg's or Clydebank statues have a plaque or plinth whilst on public display?
v) Can you give me an approximate date of the theft of the Manchester statue (all I have is 1968)
cheers
Chris
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Thanks for posting. I would really like to know if the runner was based upon a real runner.
If so do you know his name? :)
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Hi,
I will phone my grandmother tomorrow morning and see if I can get answers to all your questions.
Jagen123 :)
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Thanks for posting. I would really like to know if the runner was based upon a real runner.
If so do you know his name? :)
The runner was modelled on a Clydesdale Harrier called Bobby Gray in 1933