THE SUFFERING of thousands of trawlermen's families is recognised in the winning design for Hull's long-awaited fishing memorial.
Fishing heritage group Stand announced yesterday it plans to press ahead with Colour Urban Design Limited's design called Fathers, Sons And Mothers.
It is said to depict a journey from Hessle Road, once the home of Hull's fishing industry, to the sea, and the suffering experienced by the loved ones of the estimated 6,000 lost trawlermen.
Charles Pinder, chairman of Stand, told journalists on the steps of Hull's Maritime Museum, where the shortlisted designs were put on display: "After many years, this marks a significant moment for Stand.
"We look forward to working with the design team to finalise the details of their scheme, which we are confident will provide a fitting memorial to the thousands of lives lost in the fishing industry."
Artist Gordon Young, who designed Hull's famous city centre fish trail, is also behind the latest plans.
The memorial's centre-piece is a tear-shaped sculpture meant to symbolise a crew's bulging net and also the suffering of generations of Hull families.
Peter Owens, managing and design director at Newcastle's Colour Urban Design Ltd, said: "It has been a privilege to contribute to Stand and Hull's fishing industry through our competition entry.
"The process has been an education and deeply humbling. We hope that our work will provide a focus and an apt memorial for such loss for many years to come."
The winning design was chosen by a panel of judges, which included Mr Pinder, fellow Stand members Ron Wilkinson and Anita Waddy, Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson and Richard Scott, an experienced architect.
Mr Pinder, Stand's treasurer, served as a trawlerman from 1952 to 1977. He said: "We have always said we want to create a special place for people to visit and contemplate quietly – it should not just be a memorial.
"It should be a place that can educate people, not just the young, but also visitors to the city, about Hull's past."
Stand launched its memorial appeal in 2003. Since then, more than £160,000 has rolled in.
Mr Wilkinson said: "It's been a long, hard road and we're getting there. But it's not there yet and we will keep going until the memorial is up."
Earlier this month, members of the public were given a week to cast their eyes over three shortlisted designs and encouraged to give feedback.
Previously, Stand promised that the views of the public would be taken into account by the judging panel before the eventual winner was announced.
Stand says it hopes the memorial could be unveiled within 18 months.
