Cheadle Discovery Group are delighted to announce the much anticipated unveiling of Cheadle’s new Great War Memorial on the 24th April 2016 at 2pm in Cheadle main car park. The sculpture designed by local blacksmith Jim Plant has been a real triumph for the community spirit of Cheadle. No fewer than 17 individuals, companies and organisations have been involved in making the sculpture possible.
The manufacture of this unique sculpture has required both traditional skills such as blacksmith and masonry skills as well as high tech stone cutting and metal working. The traditional skills of Jim Plant are indisputable. The 5 foot metal sculpture ring which houses a soldier on horseback and several smaller cameos of animals are breathtaking in their 3D form. However other elements of the support structure have required sophisticated manufacturing technology. For example, the support for the sculpture required a precision bell shaped brass part to be produced by Boltons Aerospace. The huge local sandstone blocks donated by Laver Leisure for the plinth required large scale cutting technology by Glynn Barnacle as well as the more traditional masonry skills of Gary Barton.
“I am pleased that so many people and organisations have contributed to this project. At times it has been difficult to manage but we will have a unique memorial dedicated to WW1 that the town will be proud of and a legacy for future generations” said project leader Ivan Wozniak
The sculpture is the final part of a Heritage Lottery funded project “Cheadle Remembers the Great War” which remembers both the men and animals that served in the Great War. More than 80 horses left Cheadle and only one returned. Jim Plant the designer has more reason than most to create something truly special. His father served in the war and he is passionate about animals.
“We believe this is the only memorial sculpture of its type outside of London recognising the contribution of animals to the Great War effort. The public should be proud to have such a unique work of historical art in Cheadle” said local historian Mike Plant.
