20 Years of Iron Men: Capturing Nature’s Drama on Crosby Beach

Ron Davies is a passionate photographer who has spent nearly two decades capturing the unique beauty of the iron men sculptures on Crosby Beach. These sculptures, created by the famous artist Sir Antony Gormley, were installed in 2005 and have since become a well-known feature of the Sefton coast. There are 100 iron men, each one modeled after the artist himself, standing along almost two miles of the beach. Ron has taken thousands of photographs of these sculptures, and he says they always provide the perfect foreground for his pictures of nature. Whether it is a colorful sunset, a dramatic storm, or even the rare Northern Lights, Ron finds that the iron men add something special to every photo. He says that when he goes to the beach to take pictures, he never feels alone because the iron men are always there, almost like silent companions.

Recently, Ron has put together an exhibition of 20 of his favorite photographs, called 'Men for All Seasons,' at The Atkinson in Southport. The exhibition shows the iron men in all kinds of weather and at different times of day. Some photos show the sculptures standing in the waves as the sun sets, while others capture them under dark, stormy skies or with the dazzling colors of the Northern Lights in the background. Ron says that every visit to the beach gives him new ideas and opportunities for photos. He believes the iron men make the already beautiful Sefton coast even more interesting and inspiring. He also enjoys meeting people from all over the world who come to see the sculptures. Some visitors have traveled from as far away as Canada and Australia just to experience the iron men in person.

Peter Harvey, a local councillor and journalist who helped organize the exhibition, says the iron men have become an important part of the community. He describes them as honorary Scousers, a term for people from the Liverpool area. Peter says that people react to the sculptures in different ways. Some visitors like to play around them, while others find them thought-provoking and reflective. He also mentions that his own children have grown up with the iron men and feel a strong connection to them. The exhibition is free to visit and will be open until 21 February. Ron hopes that his photographs will help more people appreciate the beauty and meaning of the iron men on Crosby Beach.