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The Gansey Girl Bridlington

This stunning sculpture by local artist Stephen Carvill is a recent addition to the North Pier on Bridlington's Harbour.

A gansey (or guernsey) is a hardwearing, hand knitted, woollen jumper which has been worn by fishermen around the coast of Britain for many years.

A tough weatherproof garment, usually navy blue, its purpose was more than just to keep the fishermen warm and dry.

Each gansey has a unique pattern which varied from village to village and from family to family. If there was a shipwreck or accident the bodies washed up on the shore could be identified by their gansey as being from a particular village and family. In this way the fisherman could be returned to their family for burial.

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Uploaded on February 9, 2016
Taken on February 8, 2016