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End of an era as Bearpit bear dismantled
It was a poignant moment for the artist who created Ursa the bear as he buckled on a harness to begin dismantling the sculpture on Thursday morning.
For six years, the black and white sculpture has looked over the Bearpit, becoming one of Bristol’s most loved landmarks featuring on mugs, postcards, prints and murals.
Ursa’s removal comes in the wake of ongoing disputes over the future of the sunken roundabout in the heart of the city centre.
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“It’s pretty sad but it had been six years,” says Jamie Gillman, the artist who created the 12-foot high sculpture in 2013.
“I’m very lucky I had the opportunity in the first place. I just want to say thanks to everyone who’s supported it.”
The PRSC team begin work
Jamie Gillman (far right) with members of PRSC ready to start dismantling
A small team from the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) set out in the morning rain with a couple of ladders, harnesses and tools to dismantle Ursa as a small cluster of onlookers watched from afar.
The years of standing in the elements have taken their toll and the bear’s outer panelling is weathered, while the internal structure appears to have expanded slightly – making the dismantling process long and slow.
“Why is it being removed?” calls one passer-by. Another comments that it’s an outrageous move; but one which the city council say they have not forced PRSC to do.
The first panel is off
Weathering of the statue has made it a complicated process
More than 4,100 people signed a petition calling on the bear to stay and Ursa’s owners, PRSC, say that the sculpture – which was funded by a grant from Arts Council England, is effectively being evicted from its long-term perch.
PRSC also claim that they have been left with no alternative following threats of legal action from the council, which owns the St James Barton roundabout.
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Read more: Battle over future of Bearpit bear
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The council shut down the Bearpit and carried out a major clear-up operation in June, removing most of the structures that had been in place, but leaving Ursa.
In a statement issued on Thursday morning, a Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “We have not asked for the bear to be removed and have said to its owners it can stay where it is.
“However, it is the property of PRSC and is for them to determine what they do with their property. The clean-up of the area was about reducing anti-social behaviour and improving public safety, and nothing to do with the bear statue.”
Chris Chalkley says he was left with no choice other than to remove the bear
Speaking as Ursa was being dismantled, Chris Chalkley, a director of PRSC said the council is being “disingenuous”.
“We have been told over the last 12 months it has to go and then they sent us a note saying we had one week to decide if it could stay or go,” he told Bristol24/7.
“We have been forced out of the Bearpit and this is the last symbol. There’s nothing else left.”
Ursa waves goodbye to the roundabout
Almost in
The back of Ursa’s head is off
Parts of the bear on the platform above the Bearpit
The sculpture’s wooden interior was discovered to have expanded
The plan is to take Ursa back to PRSC yard on Jamaica Street and attempt to repair the sculpture.
The PRSC team are hopeful of finding a new home for the bear once renovations have been carried out, with Bristol24/7 understanding that several offers have already been received as to where to display Ursa next.
Read more: What is next for the Bearpit?
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