Dismay over wooden Bexhill beach sculptures vandalism

The newest wooden sculpture on Bexhill beach Seaweed Sally lasted just over a week before it was vandalised, with the creator left speechless.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Jul 2016, 15:49 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:29 BST

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Seaweed Sally and Salty Sam on the beach. Photo by Andy Sharrocks SUS-160728-124308001Seaweed Sally and Salty Sam on the beach. Photo by Andy Sharrocks SUS-160728-124308001
Seaweed Sally and Salty Sam on the beach. Photo by Andy Sharrocks SUS-160728-124308001

Salty Sam’s ‘wife’s’ hat has been broken, someone tried to remove her poem and the original sculpture’s board has been taken.

Andy Sharrocks found the damage on Monday morning and could not understand why anyone would do such a things.

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“These characters bring so much joy to the locals, which is why I did Seaweed Sally,” he said.

Someone has taken Saltys poem. Photo by Andy Sharrocks SUS-160728-124120001Someone has taken Saltys poem. Photo by Andy Sharrocks SUS-160728-124120001
Someone has taken Saltys poem. Photo by Andy Sharrocks SUS-160728-124120001

“I just don’t understand why anybody would want to do this.

“Would they walk into the De La Warr Pavilion and start pulling apart the exhibits there?

“I thought it was a great time to put them out with all the turbulence and carnage going on in the country and the world. I know so many people are delighted at seeing them, but then some destructive creature comes along and starts pulling them apart.

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“These sculptures really are a labour of love for the people of Bexhill, destroying them is a labour of hate.”

The log is covered in pebbles from people to show their support. Photo by Andy Sharrocks SUS-160728-124141001The log is covered in pebbles from people to show their support. Photo by Andy Sharrocks SUS-160728-124141001
The log is covered in pebbles from people to show their support. Photo by Andy Sharrocks SUS-160728-124141001

Andy created Sally after the huge support he received when Salty Sam appeared on the shore in August last year.

Sam lasted a couple of weeks before someone set fire to him and ripped him apart last year and it seems Sally has befallen a similar fate.

Andy said Sam’s vandalism last year felt like a mindless act but this time it felt like the culprit wanted to take home a piece, almost in defiance.

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Andy’s spirits were lifted as another stranger has written a note asking anyone who likes the sculptures to place a pebble on the log in solidarity.

A message written on the log. Photo by Andy Sharrocks SUS-160728-124131001A message written on the log. Photo by Andy Sharrocks SUS-160728-124131001
A message written on the log. Photo by Andy Sharrocks SUS-160728-124131001

The log is covered in stones and Andy said that proved that the vast majority of people enjoy and appreciate this creations and he pledged to fix both of them and not take them away.

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Seaweed Sally. Photo by Andy SharrocksSeaweed Sally. Photo by Andy Sharrocks
Seaweed Sally. Photo by Andy Sharrocks

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