Sefton Council marks 20 years of Crosby’s Iron Men with new photography exhibition

This month, Sefton Council is celebrating two decades of Antony Gormley’s famous Iron Men standing watch over Crosby Beach with a special touring photography exhibition.

Back in July 2005, a hundred Iron Men arrived on the sands between Waterloo and Blundellsands. Locals soon nicknamed them the Iron Men, and since then, they’ve become one of Merseyside’s most striking sights — attracting millions of visitors from all over the world.

To mark the 20th anniversary, Sefton Council is launching ‘Men for All Seasons’, an exhibition of stunning photos by local photographer Ron Davies, who has spent the last 20 years capturing the sculptures in every kind of weather.

The exhibition will feature 20 of Ron’s landscape shots showing the Iron Men against the dramatic backdrop of Crosby’s coast — from sunrises and sunsets to storms, snow and even the Northern Lights. Alongside the photos, visitors will be able to discover stories and trivia from two decades of Another Place.

Councillor Liz Dowd, Sefton’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnership Engagement, said: “Our Iron Men have become friends to millions of people over the years. This exhibition is a lovely way to celebrate how they’ve become part of our community and our culture — and a chance for people to see just how much they’ve come to mean to us all.”

The Iron Men have become an iconic part of Sefton life, often dressed up by locals to celebrate everything from Christmas to big sporting moments.

Councillor Peter Harvey, who was editor of the Crosby Herald when the figures first arrived, remembers covering the story back in 2005. He said: “When we first ran the story about the ‘Iron Men of the Mersey’ we never imagined how much they’d shape the character and personality of our area. They came as visitors — now Crosby beach is truly their home.”

For Ron Davies, the Iron Men have been a constant inspiration. He said: “I’ve been down to Another Place hundreds, maybe thousands of times over the last 20 years, and there’s always something new to capture. They add so much to our coastline — they’re the perfect foreground for nature’s drama, whether it’s sunrise, storms or snow. Thanks to Sefton Council, this exhibition will show just how much they’ve stood strong through all seasons for two decades.”

The ‘Men for All Seasons’ exhibition will tour Sefton this year, with stops planned in Crosby, Bootle and at The Atkinson in Southport. Dates and times will be announced soon.

Back in 2015, Antony Gormley reflected on the impact of his work: “I always wanted this to be an open work. What I couldn’t imagine was that Another Place would become a resonator for the thoughts and feelings of so many people. It’s wonderful to see it find a place in so many people’s memories and imaginations — from the winter walker to summertime families, and even the barnacles that have made the sculptures their home.”

Keep an eye out for exhibition details and celebrate 20 years of Merseyside’s much-loved Iron Men.

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