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Andy Capp

One of Hartlepool's most famous sons is cartoonist, Reg Smythe, who created the character Andy Capp. In June 2007 a statue of Andy was officially unveiled by Reg's widow Jean. The five feet high bronze effigy of the loveable rascal - who has entertained generations since he first appeared in the Daily Mirror in 1957 - can be seen on the seafront near the Harbour of Refuge public house in Croft Terrace. The £20,000 statue was paid for by the North Hartlepool Partnership with the help of a £2,000 donation from the Daily Mirror. The statue itself was created by Shropshire artist Jane Robbins and captures Andy in a typically relaxed pose.

A very popular tourist attraction

Andy in the summer with flowers.

Andy Capp at night.

The Andy Capp plaque.

The Harbour of Refuge public house - know to the locals as the Pot House. The Andy Capp statue in situated on a piece of green land next to the pub. You can view larger images by clicking on the thumbnails above.

Andy Capp, although ficticious is one of the best known characters in the North East of England. His image is supposed to be that of a typical North Eastern man. He's the little cloth-capped character who wears a scarf around his neck (because he can't afford a collar and tie) spends his money on booze and his hobby of flying pigeons with his mate Chalkie. But is this Daily Mirror cartoon really a true picture of a North Easterner or is Andy Capp simply a characature? That's a question I put to Andy's creator, Reg Smythe, on BBC Radio Teesside back in 1970.

Reg Smythe in 1970.

Andy Capp © Daily Mirror

The photographs on this page are copyright © to Stan Laundon and must not be used, copied, or reproduced in any way without prior written permission. The Andy Capp photograph on Wikipedia is used with full authority from the author.

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Andy Capp

 

A very popular tourist attraction, Andy Capp, standing next to the Harbour of Refuge public house, looks out towards the Pilot's Pier and Hartlepool Bay.

At the base of the statue there's a plaque which reads "Andy Capp Created by Reg Smythe." You can see a full size photograph by clicking on the frame in the left hand column.

I once saw, on another website, that someone had taken a photograph of the statue from behind. So thanks to that person for giving me the idea to do the same. Here, Andy overlooks the Town Wall, the Pilot's Pier Lighthouse and Hartlepool Bay. Across the bay is old Middleton and the Marina. In the distance, on the right, you can just see the floodlight pylons at Hartlepool Football Club's Victoria Park and the masts of HMS Trincomalee.

The Spring flowers make a nice setting as Andy overlooks Hartlepool Bay and the Pilot's Pier.

A popular little man.

I bet the gentleman just coming up the steps didn't expect to be on this photograph or, indeed, on my website. I will try to find out who he is and give him a copy of the photograph.

Someone commented about Andy not having his usual cigarette in his mouth. Mrs Smythe said that Reg had stopped smoking and, therefore, had decided to make Andy a non smoker!

Day time or night time Andy Capp is always popular.

This page is dedicated to Reg Smythe July 10, 1917 – June 13, 1998.

Copyright © Stan Laundon.com