Dockworker, 89, Cast in Bronze Returns to Monument Honoring London's Dockworkers

Johnny Ringwood, an 89-year-old former dockworker and the star of a huge bronze statue celebrating east London's dockworkers, went back to visit the monument he helped bring to life outside the ExCeL centre in the Royal Docks.

Mr. Ringwood was one of three people immortalized in "Landed," a £250,000 sculpture by artist Les Johnson, unveiled in 2009 to honor dockworkers who worked there from 1855 to 1983. The statue is one of the largest figurative sculptures in London, standing tall as a symbol of the resilience and hard work of the people who made the Royal Docks what they are today.

A ceremony on Friday was a special moment for Mr. Ringwood, who's not been in the best of health lately, but he was still beaming with pride to see the statue and reflect on his part in making it happen. "To actually come down and celebrate with my family and all my friends and all my supporters, something like today, you couldn't buy it," he said.

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It took a whole decade of hard work to get "Landed" built, with Mr. Ringwood leading the charge as its champion. Working as a docker in the area, he raised funds, awareness, and support for the sculpture, which was backed financially by the Royal Docks Trust, ExCeL, and even got a secret donation from the late Queen Mother.

Looking at the statue and thinking about everything that went into it, Mr. Ringwood couldn't help but feel grateful to everyone who helped make it happen. "I don't want to sound like I'm showing off or anything, but I'm just so proud of the statue and I'm so proud of everyone who got involved," he said. His dedication didn't stop at the monument either; he wrote a book called *Cargoes and Capers: The Life and Times of a London Docklands Man* to share his stories from life on the docks with future generations.

Roger Hooker, Chief Operations Officer at ExCeL London, praised Mr. Ringwood for being the driving force behind the statue's creation. "Johnny was right at the heart of making our statue happen," he said. "He got out there, knocking on doors and getting people excited and involved."

"Landed" isn't just a tribute to dockworkers, but also a reminder of the power of community and persistence. As Johnny Ringwood visited the statue that honors his life's work, he embodied the spirit of the dockworkers who helped shape the history and identity of London's Royal Docks.

This story will be updated with any new developments.