The Hope and Heritage sculpture is a powerful tribute to the men, women, and children who worked in Featherstone’s local collieries and the families who supported them. It stands as a reminder of the community’s immense contributions to the nation’s industrial strength.

The artwork features two halves of a refurbished pit wheel, a symbol of the town’s coal mining history. One wheel captures the memories and resilience of the community, while the other represents hope and optimism for Featherstone’s future.

Luke Perry, the renowned sculptor behind this piece, expressed his pride in contributing to Featherstone’s cultural landscape:

“Working in Featherstone is always a fantastic experience as we share a passion for representing the overlooked but incredibly important working people of our industrial past and present. As an artist it is my particular mission to see that social struggle, civil rights, environmental issues and equality are represented in my work, with Hope and Heritage we have managed to do all of these by using the inspiring words of both the younger and older generations of Featherstone.

The wheels represent both memories of the working past of the town and the incredibly progressive hopes of its young people. In fact, the words of the younger generation make the artwork look almost like protest art (of which I wholeheartedly approve). 

Featherstone continues to be a town whose hopes are socially driven, kind, brave and revolutionary. I am proud to be able to make works that represent these wonderful human traits.”

 

Councillor Margaret Isherwood, representing Featherstone Town Council, stated:

“Hope and Heritage is a powerful addition to our town, and we are proud to celebrate Featherstone’s story through art. This sculpture embodies the legacy of our miners and the spirit of our community.”

 

The unveiling ceremony will include remarks from local dignitaries, artist Luke Perry, and representatives from Featherstone Town Council. Local residents, families, and all those with a connection to Featherstone’s mining heritage are warmly invited to attend this historic event.

• Unveiling Date: Friday 18th October 2024, 10am-12pm.
• Location: Featherstone Community Centre

This momentous occasion will celebrate both Featherstone’s past and its enduring hope for the future. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the story behind the sculpture, reflect on the town’s mining legacy, and look forward to its continued growth and progress.

For more information or to RSVP to the unveiling event, please contact Vicky Symons 01977 798608.

Beam supported Featherstone Town Council to realise this ambitious commission.

Image credit: work in progress by Luke Perry.