What a bombshell! Landmark monument returns after successful campaign

A bomb shell once stood in Shell Corner, Halesowen, which is how the area earned its original name.

But it went missing five decades ago due to changes to the road layout.

However now a new shell monument has returned to Shell Corner in its rightful place.

The project has been led by Halesowen North ward Councillor Stuart Henley.

He says he faced numerous obstacles in getting the monument installed.

The project began in May 2016 when councillor Henley was given the shell by a bomb squadron in Essex.

He was then helped by art students from Halesowen College who painted silhouettes of soldiers and roses on the shell.

A planning application was needed for monument and Councillor Henley said it narrowly got through.

"It was a struggle to get to this stage," he said.

"The plans were passed before Dudley Council's planning committee but because it was being built on a public highway, it had to go before them again.

"Every Labour councillor voted against the installation of the shell and it got pushed through by the chair of the committee."

The monument has been installed on the junction of Long Lone and Maple Road.

It features a brick plinth which people are able to sit on.

The monument will also serve as a point of remembrance.

Councillor Henley said: "It has been completed on the year of the centenary.

"People will be able to lay wreaths at the site and remember serviceman in November and throughout the year."

The shell was originally installed in 1924.

It existed in Shell Corner for around fifty years before disappearing during the 70s due to change to road layouts.