Condition of Maryport Harbour sculpture set to be addressed

The Alauna Aurora has been in situ on Maryport Harbour since August 2018. A piece of metalwork, the art installation depicts a number of iconic town landmarks such as the pier and Fleming Square.

But residents have raised concerns about the appearance of the feature, which is currently covered in rust.

Officers of Maryport Town Council have confirmed to the Times & Star that the condition of the feature has been raised to them.

The Alauna Aurora when it was first installed on Maryport Harbour in 2018. (Image: Jim Davis)

A town council member raised the issue after seeing a social media post about the condition of the Alauna.

The council spokesperson said that the feature is maintained annually and the rust that has developed on it will be addressed but “the work required can only be done weather permitting.”

Residents of Maryport were invited to name the sculpture when it was first installed and many submissions included the word Alauna.

Alauna was the Roman word for the area in the ancient world.

A plaque detailing the historical significance of images on the sculpture. (Image: Newsquest)

Maryport’s storied maritime history is proudly displayed on the sculpture with depictions of the RMS Titanic and HMS Bounty.

Joseph Middleton, who opened a shipyard in Maryport in 1810, was the great-grandfather of Thomas Henry Ismay, the founder of the White Star Line which built the Titanic.

Fletcher Christian, who led a mutiny on the HMS Bounty, was born in the Maryport area and his family owned the now demolished Ewanrigg Hall.

A close-up of the Alauna Aurora feature, which was installed in 2018. (Image: Newsquest)

The town’s railway history is also illustrated on the orb by a coal-powered train.

A railway line from Maryport to Carlisle was developed in the mid-19th century, supporting the transportation of coal.

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Maryport was originally built by Humphrey Senhouse in the 1700s to capitalise on the presence of the coal deposits.

It was previously known as Ellenfoot, a fishing hamlet along the River Ellen, before Mr Senhouse secured Parliamentary approval for construction of a town and harbour, named after his wife Mary.

Alauna Aurora originally cost £9,000, paid for by a grant from the former Allerdale Borough Council.

It was developed by Fire Pit Design, a company from the North East.