Searching For Beryl............. — Steve Chivers Photography

2026 has been what I might describe as a “slow burn” on the creative front but when Mrs. C mentioned that there was a Beryl Cook exhibition at the Plymouth Box my interest was well and truly piqued.

For those of you unfamiliar with Beryl Cook, she was a Plymouth girl who developed a unique and instantly recognisable artistic style, depicting her candid impressions of everyday people and their everyday lives.

Now, it is fair to say that her imagery was created at a time where “Woke” wasn’t a thing and some may be regarded as risqué or indeed inappropriate into todays terms. However, appreciation of any art is in the eye of the beholder. As long as you don’t take yourself too seriously and take time to understand her candid view and treatment of everyday situations and characters, they are indeed humorous and highly enjoyable (IMHO).

In addition to the exhibition there were four statues of characters from her works displayed around Plymouth. So Mrs. C, my creative muse, came up with the idea that I should search out and capture imagery of the various statues, whilst also documenting our trail around Plymouth to give the reader some insight in to our wonderful home town, before ending up at the exhibition at the St. Lukes, the adjunct to our wonderful Plymouth Box Museum.

Finally the good old Plymouth weather perked-up (that is Plymouthian for the cessation of rain of biblical proportion) and we headed off to the Plymouth Barbican (5 minutes walk from our home) to capture our first character.

Conveniently the first character, a Sailor, was located opposite the best coffee shop in Plymouth, the wonderful Cornish Bakery ( @cornishbakery.com ), a must pit-stop during any visit to Plymouth.

Cornish Bakery - The best coffee and pastries in town and a must pit-stop during any visit to Plymouth.

Suitably refreshed after our usual order of Americano with hot milk and a single shot piccolo, I captured the first character.

The Sailor statue is a character from Beryl’s image “Sailors and Seagulls.

I forgot to say that all imagery was captured with the Leica SL2S and the rather wonderful Sigma 45mm DGDN F2.8 contemporary lens.

Then we were off to find the second character which was allegedly located near Plymouth Hoe Bowling Club.

On our way to the Hoe you pass the famous Mayflower steps and the Leviathan followed by the Admiral McBride pub which serves one of the best crab sandwhiches in Plymouth. The reader will note a recurring theme that my photowalks always combine art and calories!

The Admiral MacBride - A great crab sandwich with your pint of the local grog.

We then carried on for a further five minutes until we reach the cannons which guard the Cattewater and look out over Plymouth Sound. Always a great view and a photo opportunity.

Once we reach Plymouth Hoe it is obligatory to take an image of Smeatons Tower, the original lighthouse that was transported from the Eddystone Reef. If you have the energy, have a head for heights and you don’t mind paying the £8 entrance fee, you can climb the lighthouse and enjoy stunning views across the Hoe and Plymouth Sound.

Let us never forget - The War Memorials on Plymouth Hoe.

As we reached the War Memorials on the Hoe I catch my first glimpse of Plymouth Hoe Bowling Club and our second of Beryl’s characters. Legend has it that back on July 20th 1588, Sir Francis Drake allegedly insisted on finishing his game of bowls here despite being informed that the Spanish Armada was approaching. A gentleman must never be interrupted when indulging in his favourite past-time!

I didn’t understand the significance of the posture of the character until I saw the complete image that Beryl had created. Then I had a chuckle :-)

We then head in to the centre of town passing by the Anchor that was taken from HMS Ark Royal, one of the UK’s most famous naval vessels. By now the reader will have guessed that Plymouth is a town steeped in military history.

Mrs. C advised that our third character was located next to the Bank Pub behind the Theatre Royal. So we headed past the Crown Court and Guildhall to Armada Way.

Standing outside the Guildhall and Crown Court is a 27 foot statue called “The Knife Angel”. This statue is made from over 100,000 knives that were either seized by Police or surrendered during amnesties across 43 different UK police forces.

It was designed and created by artist Alfie Bradley at the British Ironworks Centre and many of the knife blades are engraved with messages from families who have been affected by knife crime. It serves as a powerful memorial to victims of knife crime.

As we walk along Armada Way we reach the Theatre Royal and see “Messenger”, the U.K.’s largest bronze Sculpture which was created by artist Joseph Hillier. Messenger is seven metres tall, nine metres wide weighs in at an impressive 10 tons. The sculpture was commissioned by the Theatre Royal to mark the completion of its regeneration project.

“Messenger” outside The Theatre royal Plymouth.

As we walked around the back of the theatre and past the Bank Pub we find our third character, the drag performer Ruby Venezuela from “Tom Dancing”.

Derry’s Clock Tower situated next to the Bank Pub was originally built in 1862 to commemorate the Prince and Princess of Wales and remarkably survived the Blitz of World War 2 when most of the centre of Plymouth was completely destroyed. The adjacent Bank Pub, built in 1889, is housed in a former Wilts and Dorset Banking Company building. History and a pint of beer, a winning combination!

Derry’s Clock Tower next to The Bank Pub.

Three down and one to go. Our next stop was the Plymouth Pannier Market opposite Frankfurt Gate where we found our final character, “The Happy Shopper”.

By now we were some 6000 steps in to our tour and my stomach was rumbling. As we were at Frankfurt Gate there is no better place to take a calorie break than the wonderful Lisbon Bakery & Restaurant. I love this family run Portuguese style bakery and restaurant. The coffee is great, the food wholesome and tasty and the home-made Pastel Del Nata are an absolute dream. Yours truly was very much in his happy place!

Family run bakery and restaurant with great food and coffee.

Our final stop was St Lukes, an adjunct building to the Box Museum. I knew we were getting close as I passed the college of Art.

Art and Caffeine, the perfect combination.

Following our tour of some of the sights of Plymouth we finally reach St. Lukes. Unbelievably entry is free but we always leave a donation to help keep the place going.

St Lukes, home to the Beryl Cook Exhibition.

The exhibition was fantastic and I have enclosed just a few of my favourite Beryl Cook images.

There you have it, a whilstle-stop tour of Plymouth, 8,000 steps, fantastic entertainment at the Beryl Cook Exhibition and all for the price of a coffee and a delicious Pastel Del Nata. You know it makes sense!

I hope you have enjoyed this creative expedition around Plymouth and if you would like to see more of our wonderful home town please feel free to have a look at my gallery entitled “On My Doorstep” which gives you different views of Plymouth from within 15 minutes walk of where I live or, better still, come and visit in person and join me for a coffee at the Cornish Bakery.

Warmest regards to all from a sunny Plymouth U.K.