A few weeks ago we were visiting Scarborough Castle when we were dismayed to encounter a large amount of fly tipping which, hopefully, the custodians of the site will have had removed by now.
Last year it was suggested that the castle headland be used to display a sculpture which would represent the area and the environment.
It seemed to be a well received idea amongst the locals, until we actually found out what the sculpture was to look like.
Then it was universally rejected and complaints reached the level where it was announced that due to public demand the sculpture would be placed elsewhere.
The good folks of Whitby (whose Abbey was
next in line for the aberration) then equally voiced disapproval and rejected it out of hand.
Good.
Some other unfortunate place was going to be landed with it, hopefully down south but basically anywhere that's not us.
Maybe somewhere out at sea a few miles towards Denmark perhaps and preferably in international waters, would be a good place for it.
Or so we thought.
As mentioned earlier, a few weeks ago (and most likely, under the cover of darkness which is when people who deposit rubbish in places they shouldn't tend to operate), the bloody thing was dumped on the headland of the castle after all.
A piece of preformed concrete with absolutely no redeeming features, constructed by (rather than crafted by) an obviously talentless sculpture 'artist' (but, admittedly, a very adept con artist - having got some daft bastard to buy it).
Much akin to The Emperor's New Clothes, it is claimed that it is some sort of environmental statement and the 'sculpture' will only be completed when snow drifts against it.
Marvellous. A half finished turd.
The castle is closed during the months when it snows and so no one will see it anyway.
Pity they have to see it during the rest of the year.
As for The Emperor's New Clothes, the little boy would be heard to say "but.... it's shit!".
A more artistic, interesting and relevant 'sculpture' is the nearby base for the anti-aircraft battery that occupied the site during the Second World War.
A much better use of concrete and with more worthy artistic
attributes.
.....already in situ and hasn't cost the townsfolk a penny.