Local 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 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.
Claire Wild, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for transport, said
“I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in the design and construction of the Connect2 scheme over the past five years and to thank Sustrans and the Big Lottery Fund for choosing Shrewsbury as one of the places to be involved.
We have seen that when safe, direct and attractive walking and cycle routes are provided, people will use them for their local journeys. The benefits are wide ranging: from health and air quality though to reduced traffic congestion.”
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.”
Helen Ball, town clerk for Shrewsbury Town Council, said:
“We are delighted to have been able to work with Cycle Shrewsbury on this project which will honour Shrewsbury’s favourite local heroes. We hope the portrait bench will encourage people to stop, enjoy the views of Shrewsbury Castle and the river, and admire the display in the large flower bed which is regularly replanted by Shrewsbury in Bloom.”
Henry Harbord, Sustrans area manager, said:
“The Portrait Bench project is proving a very popular part of this Lottery funded project nationally; and in Shrewsbury the number who voted to choose their favourite for portrayal was phenomenal.”
The portrait bench will be officially unveiled on Tuesday 25 June at 10.30am. The event will be attended by Martin Wood, children from the primary schools that voted, and representatives from Shropshire Council, Shrewsbury Town Council and the Connect2 Project Group.
