John Longden sculptor

[spanton]

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.

[MonicaL]

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

[MonicaL]

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?

[MonicaL]

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

[spanton]

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

[MonicaL]

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

[MonicaL]

This is a photo of the 'Runner' in Heaton Park, link shrunk from Google books www.rootschat.com/links/0do2/

[spanton]

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

[MonicaL]

As Barbara mentions in the other post, let us know how you get on 

Monica