Connect2 portrait bench: your choice

Voting opens today (Thursday 15 November 2012) to choose three ‘local heroes’ who will feature on a portrait bench in Shrewsbury.

The shortlist of nine includes historical and contemporary figures, and even a mythical one – Sabrina, goddess of the Severn.  Some are internationally-famous, such as Wilfred Owen and Thomas Telford, while others are mostly known locally.  Each of the nine has a ‘champion’, who has written in support of their chosen hero.

The full list is: Dr William Clement, Celia Fiennes, Mary Webb, Martin Wood, Thomas Telford, Eglantyne Jebb, Val Oldaker, Sabrina, Wilfred Owen.

Visit www.travelshropshire.co.uk/bench to find out how to vote online and to read about each character, and why they deserve your vote.  You can vote for one male and one female character.

A third character will be chosen by a separate vote in Shrewsbury primary schools.

The portrait bench will be installed on Smithfield Road as part of Shrewsbury’s Connect2 project.  This will be a plain oak bench; with three lifesize two-dimensional figures cut out of steel, next to it.

Connect2 is managed by Sustrans with funding from the Big Lottery.

Henry Harbord, Area Manager for Sustrans, said:

“Sustrans is very proud of its innovative public art projects around the country.  We aim to involve the community in all our projects, and I hope as many people as possible will take this opportunity to vote for the Shrewsbury characters.

“Portrait benches have already been installed in a number of other Connect2 projects.  They provide a focal point for each scheme and a link between all 70 schemes around the country.”

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for transport, said:

“We are really excited at the idea of having a portrait bench in Shrewsbury, which will be unique to the town.  It’s great to be making the town more attractive, as well as providing safer walking and cycling routes.  I would also like to say a big thank you to Sustrans and the Big Lottery Fund for funding the wonderful project, and the agreement from the town council on finding a good location.”

Andrew Bannerman, Shropshire Councillor for Quarry and Coton Hill, said:

“This is a great chance to help select another piece of public art for the town and to celebrate three people who have an important place in Shrewsbury’s history.”

Voting papers are also available in three libraries – Shrewsbury Library, Bayston Hill Library, and The Lantern in Harlescott.  The vote in libraries closes on Tuesday 20 November 2012 at 5pm, and the online vote closes on Thursday 22 November 2012 at 12pm.

The three chosen heroes will be announced on Friday 23 November 2012. 

Further information

The bench is part of the Sustrans Connect2 scheme, which is delivering better walking and cycling routes between the town centre, the railway station and the north of the town. Shrewsbury’s Connect2 scheme is one of over 70 round the country, and each will be installing a portrait bench featuring local heroes.

Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity behind the National Cycle Network, received £50 million from the Big Lottery in 2007 as a result of an online public vote, and has distributed the funds to over 70 schemes around the country.