New sculpture keeps industrial history alive in Telford
A memorial honouring the industrial heritage of the St Georges area of Telford has been installed.
The monument pays tribute to the area’s long history of coal mining, steel and brick making and farming. Many would have been employed by the Lilleshall Company founded in 1802.
There was a desire for a memorial which recognised all those who worked – and in some cases lost their lives – in those industries. It has been made possible thanks to funding from Telford & Wrekin Council.
Councillor Richard Overton, (Lab) Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing & Enforcement and ward councillor, has been a driving force for the project. Along with ward councillor Stephen Handley, and former ward councillor David Wright, they have contributed money from their Councillors’ Pride Fund. A further contribution has been made through the Council’s Safer and Stronger Communities programme.
A small dedication service, to mark the installation of the memorial, was led by the Reverend Richard Walker Hill.
Councillor Overton said:
“My grandfather was a miner and many people who live in the area will have relatives who worked in these industries.
“It was important to me to recognise those who toiled in what must have been extremely harsh conditions and to recognise the sacrifices and loss of life.
“We held a small gathering to mark the installation of the monument. An official unveiling for the community is planned for the spring when planting around the area is complete.
“The memorial will be a place for residents to come and pay their respects and a bench will also be installed for quiet reflection.”
The Reverend Richard Walker Hill said:
“This memorial tells us the history of the area and is an opportunity for us to give thanks to those who have given their time and their energies in the industries that have been located here.
“The dedication was a recognition of all the work that has gone on through the ages in this area and the memorial will be an inspiration for generations to come.”
Trevor Bates, from Steel Street, said it was “an absolute pleasure” to have sculpted the steel monument. Each of the four sides depicts an industrial theme with a mining lamp on top.
The memorial stands on land now owned by St Georges and Priorslee Parish Council, once the site of a WI building. Telford & Wrekin Council has worked with the parish council, and partners, to clear the site for the memorial and improve its biodiversity as it leads into Albion Bank which is one of the Council’s Green Guarantee sites.
