Ollie's Eatery, Walter Stranz Square, Redditch

            Artwork springs into action 
Published date: 13 January 2017
Springs TH Art
A brand new piece of artwork has officially sprung up this week outside of the Town Hall.

The interesting new artwork is a tribute to the Town's connection with the spring and wireform making industry. The work has been created by professional artist Tim Tolkien (relative of the famous JRR Tolkien) and is made from mild steel weighing well over half a metric tonne.

On Thursday 12th January the piece was officially unveiled in a ceremony attended by dignitaries, students, local businesses and residents.

The ceremony began at 1pm with speeches from the Bill Hartnett - Leader of the Council, Howard Nuttall from Wild Springs and Wireforms, Kerry Sherlock from HOW College, Mike Davies from Davies Springs, Kesia Taylor the young artist who designed the work and Malcolm Hall the project founder who launched this project during his mayoral year in 2009/10. The official unveiling took place at 1.30pm.

Cllr Pat Witherspoon, whose portfolio covers leisure and cultural services, said: "This amazing piece of art has been a long time coming, but 'oh my' has it been worth the wait! Did you know there isn't a boat on the water, a car on the road, a train on the tracks, a plane in the sky, or even a rocket in space that doesn't have a spring in it made in Redditch? This piece is very fitting and we're proud to show it off."

Howard Nuttall from Wild Springs & Wireforms said: "Local Spring companies are pleased that the industry is being recognised, as it was, and very much still is, a significant employer in and across the Redditch area. The Redditch area is known as a world class leader in a variety of spring products which are supplied and used throughout the world in a variety of applications. The industry has also been happy to support and participate with the Spring Arts Project and the steering committee would like to extend their thanks to all parties that contributed to the project.”

Mike Davies from Davies Springs said: "Our Company has been proud to get involved in this project from the outset. So many young people, the college, local springs businesses large and small, and of course the Council have got involved. The sculpture is a real credit to the strength of our industry in the town. We very much hope that the art work will raise awareness of our presence in the town and encourage young people to think about the employment opportunities in the town that are available to them in our sector."

The project initially began in 2010 when the Council approached Heart of Worcestershire College to develop designs for the artwork from their students. The entries were whittled down to just three before the winning design, by Kesia Taylor, then aged 17 years old - was picked by a steering group made up of the council, local business representatives and HOW College formally known as NEW College.

After a lengthy process to source a professional artist, put the relevant planning requirements in place and liaise with businesses interested in being involved, the project has now been completed and the artwork will stand tall for all to see outside the Town Hall on Walter Stranz Square.

The project has been funded, resourced and supported by partners including Redditch School of Art Trust, Redditch Borough Council, Redditch Town Centre Partnership and local businesses including Bennett Mahler, Clifford springs, Davies Springs, G & O Springs, Micro Springs and Presswork, Profin Protective Finishing, S G Springs, Springmasters, Stride supplies, Wild springs and Wireform, Wire & Tube Technology Ltd.

For more information on the project please contact the Arts and events Team.

Taken on: June 16, 2017

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Springs

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Walter

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Redditch

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Sets appears in: • Redditch

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