Sculptor's artwork is far from the pits

A Black Country sculptor is working on a £45,000 public artwork project dedicated to the area's industrial heritage.

The work, which will take pride of place in Walsall Wood, is set to include a 45ft-tall pithead and winding gear.

Luke Perry, aged 25, set up his own firm Industrial Heritage Stronghold 18 months ago to champion the region.

The work is being funded by Walsall Council and after six months of planning the designs were approved by planners last month.

Cradley Heath-born Luke, a former Redhill School pupil, lives in Lightwoods Road, Stourbridge, and said that he has been looking forward to getting started.

He added: "I was commissioned to create the artwork in October last year, and now after months of consultation with people from the area, I can start to create the sculptures. This is to be a real celebration of the Black Country and all my materials, including steel and concrete, will be sourced locally. Part of the artwork will be made up of silhouettes of local characters and there has been a great response from the community. One of those to be included is Geoff Woodward, who is sadly no longer with us, but was a real community stalwart.

"He ran local scout groups and football teams and will be appearing in his RAF football kit, from 1939, when he was in Bombay.

"There will be other figures including the vicar and even animals, with Breakaway, a record breaking racing pigeon and Scruffy Dog, a favourite from the pubs, both featuring."

The sculptures will form a trail across the Walsall Wood area. Five pieces are to be produced in total, with the pit head planned for land at the rear of Oak Park leisure centre, off Lichfield Road.

A plaque will be laid at the village green, off Lichfield Road, with 25 life-size cut steel and brass figures of real Walsall Wood people to be positioned on the green off Brooklands Road. A fisherman sculpture is set to be created for the canal with the figure of a miner due to be produced for Walsall Wood High Street.

Mr Perry said: "The first thing I will make will be the winding gear for the pithead and will be making the silhouettes alongside that. At the moment I think it will take me around six months to complete and I am hoping it will be ready in time for Christmas.