Miner lights up Brownhills

Date Published : 24 October 2008

An iconic landmark statue has been lit up as part of a scheme by Walsall Council.

Spotlights now bathe The Brownhills Miner in a silver blue light to further put the statue on the map.

Scores of people turned out for the switch-on event which also saw school children make glow stick lanterns.

Walsall Mayor Councillor Tom Ansell attended the event along with other Black Country Mayors.

The lights were switched on by Scottish artist John McKenna who designed and built the sculpture which was installed more than two years ago.

He said: "I'm very proud of it. I'm really pleased that it's been lit up.

"It's the biggest piece of work that I've ever done and as an artist to make something that the public really appreciate as they do here in Brownhills is great."

Doug Birch, chairman of the Brownhills Local Committee, said that the sculpture celebrated the 300 years of mining tradition in the community.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council cabinet member for regeneration, said that the statue was forward looking.

He added: "Our Miner is not just a gateway to Brownhills. It's a bold statement that says we are proud of our past but are also looking to the future."

Councillor Barbara Cassidy, chairman of the Brownhills Local Neighbourhood Partnership who helped fund the switch on event, said that the landmark was known far and wide.

She said: "It's just fantastic for Brownhills and it's become an absolute landmark for people. Lighting it up is just the icing on the cake."

The statue was put in place more than two years ago after extensive consulation.

Postcards of the piece were launched after it emerged people were coming from across the country to see the piece at its location at the junction of High Street and Chester Road.

The £70,000 piece was funded by Walsall Council and Walsall Partnership in order to brighten-up key routes into the borough.