Pupils unveil gateway sculpture

BACK (from the left): Councillor Mohib Uddin; researchers Frank Jones, Eunice Gerrard, Ron Scholes and Muriel Scholes. Middle (from the left): Kanwel Waheed, Humaira Jamroze and Akashaa Rebak. Front (from the left): Komal Akhtar, Sidra Farooq, Serish Ahmed, Danyaal Kamran, Ali Hassan and artist Ann Gilligan from Green Monster Arts

A STRIKING new sculpture created by children as a gateway into Oldham has been unveiled off Copsterhill Road.

Broadfield Primary School pupils aged eight to nine have worked on the sculpture as part of a larger plan to brighten Broadway Street, Goddard Street and Snowden Street.

It resembles an upturned bucket to follow a water theme and depicts the history of the area from its farmland origins to market gardens, coalmines and cotton mills, through to regeneration.

A council spokeswoman said: “Located in the newly landscaped garden opposite Copsterhill Road, it will be a striking focal point for passing pedestrians and motorists.

“The garden will be landscaped with plans which reflect the water theme and will be paved with cobbles to evoke the industrial heritage.”

The sculpture will be unveiled by the children and Green Monster Arts, who helped to create the ideas and translated them into a workable design.

Pupil Komal Akhtar said: “I enjoyed working on this project because it made me feel part of the community.”