Shrewsbury icons honoured in Connect2 project
Shrewsbury’s town crier Martin Wood, war poet Wilfred Owen and Sabrina, goddess of the River Severn, have taken up residence on Smithfield Road in Shrewsbury.
The life-size two-dimensional steel figures were chosen by the public in an online vote on the Shropshire Star website which attracted over 30,000 votes, and a vote in Shrewsbury primary schools.
The three Shrewsbury figures were unveiled during a ceremony this morning and are the latest addition to the Sustrans “Portrait Bench” art project which will see 250 figures of “local heroes” installed in over 80 locations around the country.
The installation of the bench and figures marks the successful completion of the Connect2 project in Shrewsbury, providing new high-quality walking and cycling links between north Shrewsbury and the Quarry. Connect2 is a UK-wide project funded by Sustrans, after it was chosen to receive £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund in the “People’s Millions” TV vote in 2007.
Shrewsbury Town Crier Martin Wood said:
“I am chuffed to bits to be chosen as one of the figures for the portrait bench and the steel Martin looks fantastic. I have been telling all my town crier friends from around the world and they are very envious – it’s helping me to spread the word about what a special place Shrewsbury is.”
The figures were officially unveiled at 10.30am this morning. The event was attended by Martin Wood, Mayor Cllr Jon Tandy, children from the primary schools that voted, and representatives from Shropshire Council, Shrewsbury Town Council and the Connect2 Project Group.
