Another of the many sculptures installed for the sculpture trail planned to open officially later in 2021 is this steel seal.

The sculpture by Steve Tomlinson reflects a number of parts of the Tees’ history; shipbuilding, which was an industry along the river both near here and in Stockton, the iron works which once lined the Middlesbrough side of the river here and finally the rivers regeneration which has resulted in a cleaner river allowing the seals to return.

The weathered steel contrasts with its surroundings and there’s certainly something appealing about the natural form of a seal being produced from such an unnatural man made material – especially with the links back to the area in which the sculpture is placed.

The Ironmasters’ Trail is a sometimes forgotten walk around the former iron and steal making area of Middlesbrough. The circular route starts and finishes at the Teessaurus Park, the route running past the sculpture on the river to the Newport Bridge, and also passing through the current industrial area.