TRIBUTES have been paid to a famous sculpturer who helped form the Basildon we know today.

Vin Harrop, a well-known historian in South Essex, spoke to the Echo of his sadness after the death of William Mitchell at the end of January.

William, known as Bill to friends, created the iconic Pineapple fountain, which was lost by developers at Trafford House, just off Cherrydown East.

Mr Mitchell, who passed away at the age of 94 on January 30 in Cumbria, also created several sculptures around the town, some of which still remain in place today.

Mr Harrop stated that Bill was friends with Sir Basildon Spence, who designed Basildon back in the 1950s. The historian said: “We must all mourn the loss of Bill.

“Mitchell had an unquenchable desire to experiment, which gave the new town some of the very best contemporary art of the day.

“We have a lot to thank to those early pioneers of our new town’s creativity for they were the ones that to give us an arts culture, upon which we have been building these past 70 years.

“The nickname of The Pineapple gave Mitchell great pleasure for he believed the people had taken his work to their hearts, and we had.

“He will be sadly missed by all of us, in particular by his lovely wife Joy.”

He added that Mitchell had travelled around the UK sculpting various pieces of work in his prime in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Mr Harrop said: “He was deeply upset when The Pineapple was lost. It was taken to Laindon and it just disappeared.

“I don’t know how you can lose it, all five tonnes of it.

“He was a charming fellow.

“They send me Christmas cards.

“He had a good innings. He really enjoyed life.”

Mr Mitchell’s other work across the UK includes a sculpture as part of a housing scheme in Deptford, South East London, the bronze-effect doors on the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool and two 15ft high concrete sculptures in Wexham Springs in Slough.