ANIMALS
FISH
A fish is depicted on this village sign at Gooderstone in Norfolk. It earned its place because there used to be a trout fishery in the village in medieval times. It is accompanied by a character in a suit of armour with a sword. He represents Saint George who is patron saint of the parish church, also depicted.
The picture on the left shows a milestone in the shape of an upside-down fish at Rockland St. Mary in Norfolk.
Below shows a carving of fish in Homersfield, dating from 2000, which is the work of sculptor Mark Goldsworthy of Bungay in Suffolk. The wooden trunk is from a Cedar of Lebanon tree from Blickling Hall in Norfolk. On the top of the flattened trunk there’s a carved man in a boat, and the words ‘I dreamed of a beautiful woman who carried me away’ are carved around the base. This is a reference to Roman times when the River Waveney here was called Alveron which means ‘beautiful woman’. The sculpture stands on ground that was once the river bed.
Right: Weathervane with fish on a house in Homersfield by the River Waveney in Suffolk.
Another example of a fish as decoration is one carved in stone on an outside wall of Oxborough Church in Norfolk.
Mark Goldsworthy had part of his training at Great Yarmouth School of Art and his first commission was in 1991. His inspiration has come largely from medieval carvings in the region and he has specialised in figurative sculptures, mainly in wood.
His work has been exhibited not only locally but also in London and abroad. For further information go to
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