A WIRRAL sculptor has created a stunning new statue celebrating Salford’s pioneering history and famous sons and daughters.
Emma Rodgers, famous for her Cilla Black statue in Liverpool, has created a cast bronze horse and lamp post decorated with symbols from the city’s past.
Salford was the first town to have horse-drawn trams, and horses also worked underground in coal mines and along the canal system.
The horse’s veins mirror the Bridgewater Canal, which began in Worsley in 1761 and was a central part of the Industrial Revolution. Railroad tracks run along the bridle symbolizing the first public railroad by Eccles and Chat Moss in 1830, and books run through the mane when England’s first free public library opened in Salford in 1850.
Each book represents a piece of Salford’s history and commemorates famous sons and daughters such as Emmeline Pankhurst and the scientist James Prescott Joules who lived on site. A poppy flower has been added to honor the Salford Pals who fell in World War I, and there is a tribute to Vimto as the first factory was on Chapel Street.
“I wanted to bring these premieres together and celebrate in one piece to provide an opportunity to discover, explore and reflect on Salford’s fascinating and inspiring stories,” said Emma.
“The name Salford is derived from an Old English word that means“ pasture by the ford ”1805.
Emma also added a dog that braces its leg against the lamppost in homage to Salford artist Harold Riley and his famous dog sketches.
Messages and sayings from famous Salfordians adorn the sculpture, including poet John Cooper Clark, Graham Nash from The Hollies, Peter Hook from New Order and actor Albert Finney.
City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “Salford men and women pioneered social and scientific advances, made personal sacrifices in the war, helped women win the right to vote, invented Vimto, and created music, films and the arts that known all over the world.
“We wanted to capture and celebrate this rich history of the Salford premiere – many of which happened on Chapel Street, and add another exciting element to the bars, restaurants, shops and homes that are breathing new life into the area.”
Funding for the sculpture came from developers X1, who were converting nearby Salford Town Hall into apartments.
Emma’s sculpture will be unveiled in Bexley Square near Chapel Street in Salford at 11am on Wednesday September 8th by Peter Hook and Salford Ceremonial Mayor Cllr John Mullen.