Statue

Sunbeam Weekly and the Pilgrim's Pocket

Erection date: 29/11/1991

Inscription

{Plaque at the base of the statue:}
A bronze sculpture by Peter McLean unveiled by Elsie Marks Vice Chair, Mayflower Tenants Association
Sunshine Weekly and the Pilgrims Pocket
Friday 29th November 1991.

Commissioned by
{Logo of the London Docklands Development Corporation:}

{On the boy's comic:}
Uncle Pete and Kevs
Sunbeam Weakl (presumably there should be a 'Y' at the end, but it's obscured by the boy's hand.)

{In the pilgrim's pocket:}
A-Z 1620

{Around the base of the statue:}
WHY
(+Kev)
Fecit Peter McLean 1991

The statue (next to a lamppost), comprises a (ghost of a) pilgrim father, looking over the shoulder of a small Bermondsey boy from about the 1920s (the 100th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower), and a dog (a Staffordshire bull terrier), standing on its hind legs.
The comic the boy is reading (made possible at night by the light of the lamppost) is called 'Uncle Pete and Kevs Sunbeam Weekly (actually spelt as Weakly wihout a 'Y'). This makes us wonder why the plaque calls the statue 'Sunshine' weekly, and suspect that it is a mistake.
The comic (which we believe refers to an actual comic called just 'Sunbeam') shows scenes of how America had developed since 1620, and the pilgrim is looking at it in apparent horror.
There is much other detail to be seen, including various tools and implements. In the pilgrim's pocket is a lobster claw, a fish, a crucifix, a totem pole and an A-Z dated 1620. Some sources say that the A-Z refers to New York rather than London, but we don't believe it has ever been published in America.
The pilgrim has a second pocket, and it is said that any visitor from the new world who places a small object in it will find a new and more rewarding path in life.
A nearby information board gives details about the sculptor, the Pilgrim Fathers and the native Americans who helped them.

'(+Kev)', refers to sculptor McLean's assistant, Kevin Bolger. the Latin 'Fecit' means 'made by'. The word (or initials) 'WHY' is unexplained, indeed, there's a lot about this sculpture that is unexplained, which might explain the WHY!

Site: Sunbeam Weekly and the Pilgrim's Pocket (1 memorial)

SE16, Rotherhithe Street, Cumberland Wharf

This site is expected to be very popular with American tourists commemorating the quadricentennial of the sailing of the Mayflower in 2020.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of plaquesoflondon.co.uk

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Sunbeam Weekly and the Pilgrim's Pocket

Subjects commemorated i

The Sailing of the Mayflower

The ship that carried pilgrims from Britain to the New World. There were 102 ...

Read More

Sunbeam

Children's comic published by James Henderson and Sons. It featured 'Dr Rhino...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Sunbeam Weekly and the Pilgrim's Pocket

Created by i

London Docklands Development Corporation

We did not initially recognise this logo, on at least 8 plaques in the Surrey...

Read More

Mayflower Tenants Association

Tenants and residents association in Rotherhithe, based in Mayflower Hall, 1 ...

Read More

Kevin Bolger

Peter McLean's assistant. 

Read More

Elsie Marks

Erstwhile Vice Chair of the Mayflower Tenants Association.

Read More

Peter McLean

Sculptor. A founding member of the Bermondsey Artists' Group created in 1983.

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Paddington Bear - statue, platform 1

Paddington Bear - statue, platform 1

W2, Paddington Station, Platform 1

Since arriving at Paddington Station from Peru this bear's journeys have not ceased. He's been moved around the station a few times and f...

3 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Mountbatten statue

Mountbatten statue

SW1, Horse Guards Road, Foreign Office Green

9 foot 5 inches, bronze on a plinth at the centre of a low stepped platform. Unveiled by the Queen.

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Phyllis Pearsall - steel statue

Phyllis Pearsall - steel statue

SE16, Brunswick Quay

{On a nearby bench:} Plaque 1:The characters for this Portrait Bench chosen by your community celebrate Sustrans winning a nationwide vo...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
St Botolph’s - charity girl

St Botolph’s - charity girl

EC2, St Botolph’s Church Hall, Bishopsgate

This building was originally the School House, begun in 1821 by Sir William Rawlins. From Spitalfields Life 2014 we learn that: Many lay...

1 subject commemorated
Elizabeth I statue - Harrow

Elizabeth I statue - Harrow

HA1, Peterborough Road, Harrow War Memorial Building and Speech Room

Harrow School was founded in 1572 under a Royal Charter of Elizabeth I so this statue is entirely appropriate. About this statue Wikiped...

1 subject commemorated, 3 creators

Previously viewed

Peter Sellers - Elstree and Borehamwood Station

Peter Sellers - Elstree and Borehamwood Station

WD6, Allum Lane, Station forecourt

The plaques are around the station forecourt, either on frames or laid into the pavement. The gold lettering on the marble effect on the ...

1 subject commemorated
Edward Foster, VC

Edward Foster, VC

SW18, Fairfield Street, front garden

These plaques are to the north of the fountain in the front garden of Wandsworth Town Hall, on Fairfield Street. The time capsule stone i...

War served | WW1
1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Jack Mantle VC

Jack Mantle VC

Sailor. Born Jack Foreman Mantle in Wandsworth. He was a leading seaman on HMS Foylebank in Portland Harbour, and was in charge of a 2-pounder gun, known as a 'pom-pom'. On 4th July 1940, the ship...

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW2
1 memorial
Edward Smith

Edward Smith

Edward Smith is the 3rd on the right of the seven boys sitting in the photograph of the scout troop. His birth was registered in the 1st quarter of 1901 in the Lambeth registration district. As a...

Person, Children, Community / Clubs, Tragedy

2 memorials
Robert Donat

Robert Donat

NW11, Meadway, 8

English Heritage Robert Donat, 1905 - 1958, actor, lived here.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator