Buxton academic appeals for help finding town’s hidden “grotesque” sculptures

A Buxton academic is mobilising members of the public to help him find the town’s hidden “grotesque” sculptures.
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Terry Newholm has so far identified 85 of the busts - which differ to gargoyles because they are purely decorative - on structures around the town.

Dozens of buildings around Buxton are adorned with the curious forms - featuring ugly, odd, sublime, or comically distorted faces.

Among them are handsome gods, mischievous imps, beautiful goddesses, fierce women, scary rogues and grand lions.

One of two grotesques on the Old Courthouse which pulls a grimace - intensified by a terracotta tingeOne of two grotesques on the Old Courthouse which pulls a grimace - intensified by a terracotta tinge
One of two grotesques on the Old Courthouse which pulls a grimace - intensified by a terracotta tinge

Many are in fine condition while others are damaged or worn away.

Some are so high up on buildings that they are difficult to see while others are hidden behind modern business signs or are in unanticipated parts of town.

Terry, 74, told how he had walked past five of the eerie statues fixed to the centuries-old building which houses O2 on Spring Gardens “for years” until a friend recently pointed them out.

However he said the town’s most prolific haul of grotesques could be found at the Old Courthouse - with 19 different pieces.

A "sublime" grotesque on the keystone over a door on Terrace RoadA "sublime" grotesque on the keystone over a door on Terrace Road
A "sublime" grotesque on the keystone over a door on Terrace Road
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Former university lecturer Terry believes four grotesques spotted on a house in Fairfield would have originally been fixed to the Old Courthouse - then removed when an extension was built.

Speaking about the research - which he plans to turn into a booklet when he has catalogued every grotesque around the town - Terry said: “There’s a lot we still have to verify.

“But some intriguing stories are emerging as we go along - particularly around the courthouse.

A grotesque acting as a corbel to the timber frame above it on Spring GardensA grotesque acting as a corbel to the timber frame above it on Spring Gardens
A grotesque acting as a corbel to the timber frame above it on Spring Gardens

“The grotesques on the Old Courthouse are older than many of the others we’ve seen.

“Books I’ve read suggest that the Victorians bought already-cast grotesques from catalogues but the ones on the building are hand-carved - so they could have been placed there after being removed from another building.”

Dad-of-two Terry, who has been fascinated with gargoyles and grotesques since his first job at an architectural firm - told how loves “the detail” they give to buildings.

He said: “Some of them in Buxton are almost completely worn away but if you go to places like Oxford they have people repairing and replacing them.

Terry Newholm is mobilising members of the public to help him find Buxton’s hidden “grotesque” sculpturesTerry Newholm is mobilising members of the public to help him find Buxton’s hidden “grotesque” sculptures
Terry Newholm is mobilising members of the public to help him find Buxton’s hidden “grotesque” sculptures

“Although I’d love to see them preserved I can’t see that being a high priority at the moment.

“However cataloguing them would be a start and if we could get people looking out for them that would help enormously.”

So far Terry and others have identified 85 grotesques in Buxton however he believes there are “well over 100” within the town centre and outer-lying neighbourhoods.

He added: “We walk past grotesques every day, often without even seeing them and they’re not always easy to find.

“A few grotesques you stumble upon, when they’re finally pointed out, seem to be sneakily laughing at you.”

The history nut is hoping to widen his search out to other parts of Buxton town centre, Fairfield, Burbage, Harpur Hill and Grin Low.

If you can help Terry identify other hidden grotesques get in touch by emailing [email protected].

Terry says he can send those taking part a list of all the examples he has found so far.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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