T'owd Man of Bonsall, an ancient carving of a lead miner in St Mary's church Wirksworth, Derbyshire.
In a climate in which males of advancing years are not always afforded the kindest of press, it is heartening to report that in the Peak District town of Wirksworth there is one ‘old man’ who is not just admired but almost revered. In a nod to the Derbyshire vernacular he is affectionately known as 'T'Owd Man' - the Old Man - or even by the play on words 'Mr Toad'. But whatever his moniker he has garnered a great deal of media coverage in recent years, and his undeniably quirky image adorns t-shirts, mugs and all manner of merchandise linked to both Wirksworth and Bonsall - he has had a beer named after him, a half-marathon race, a Peak District walk, a and much more. If he were a living being he would be well-advised to employ a full-time agent. On the face of it T'Owd Man lends himself to an uncontroversial description. He is a primitive Medieval relief carving incorporated into an internal wall of the south transept of Wirksworth St Mary's Church. The image - thought to be at least 800-years-old - depicts a lead-miner with his pick and workman's basket known as a 'kibble'. Some experts have even declared him 'the world's earliest-known depiction of a miner' - quite an honour for Wirksworth. Peter Seddon
Size: 3225px × 4995px
Location: St Mary's church, Wirksworth, Derbyshire.
Photo credit: © suzan vagoose / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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