Mayor illuminates Chesterfield landmark

The town’s recently completed Growth sculpture at Horn’s Bridge roundabout has been officially launched.

Chesterfield’s mayor, Councillor Alexis Diouf, switched on the landmark’s new low-energy lights at a ceremony held on the evening of Wednesday, 12th November.

Led by Chesterfield Borough Council, the project was in response to requests from local businesses to improve the gateways into the town centre.

Growth was designed by Derbyshire-based artist Melanie Jackson and features a wheel, or cog, integrated into the landscape showing the borough’s industrial heritage with an opening bud or flower rising out of the centre.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Leader and Executive Member for Regeneration said: “After months of hand work from all of the partners included in the project, our latest landmark is now completed and illuminated for all to see.

“It is a true feat of engineering and I’m proud that for people entering the town centre from the M1 and by train, this will be the first thing they will see – a bold statement about the regeneration and growth of the borough.”

Artist, Melanie Jackson, added: “I’m really pleased and proud of what we have achieved, I would like to say particular thanks to Chris Brammall Ltd who manufactured the sculpture and did a stunning job.

“I hope the sculpture will become a well-known positive landmark for the town for many years to come.”

The design was chosen by members of the public and business leaders in consultation events held in summer 2013.

Coordinated by Landscape Architects TEP with NT Killingley Ltd as the principal contractor, the project was made possible by the European Regional Development Fund and by Barratt Homes.  Funding was available specifically for improvements to the town’s gateways and for public artwork and was not eligible to be spent on any other council services.

John Dillon, Managing Director at Barratt Homes North Midlands, said: “We are delighted to hear that the new artwork at Horn’s Bridge Island has now been officially launched.

“Community investment is extremely important to us as a company and we are very proud to have been a part of this exciting project, which has had such a significant impact on the landscape of Chesterfield.”

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council