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January 2006

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13 January 2006

Arts Group Gets Go-Ahead for Mining Memorial

Chase Arts in Public Spaces group (CHAPS), chaired by Tony Wright MP, is celebrating its success in getting planning permission to erect a memorial to miners in Hednesford town centre.

The memorial, funded by individual buy-a-brick contributions, will carry the names of many individual miners who worked in collieries in the Cannock Chase area. The main piece will be in the form of a miner’s lamp with walls comprised of individually inscribed bricks.

Tony Wright said:

“We had to get over a number of hurdles to reach this point, but we hope we can now make real progress in getting this memorial erected. We are of course delighted with this huge step forward and we are grateful for the co-operation and help we have received from officers and members at Cannock Chase Council and Staffordshire County Council.”

Anyone wishing to apply to buy-a-brick (for a minimum donation of £10 is asked to contact Jack Sunley (Vice Chair of CHAPS) via Tony Wright ’s office – 01543 467810.

At its recent meeting, CHAPS received positive news about a number of public arts projects which are now well underway:

·        Chadsmoor Tapestry group (Chair – Brenda Marshall; 01902 736674) are on schedule to complete their magnificent tapestry depicting the history of Cannock Chase by the end of this year. It will be displayed in a prominent site open to viewing by the public.

·        The trustees of Lea Hall Miners’ Club in Sandy Lane , Rugeley, are progressing their project to incorporate a mural into their further work to renovate and improve the centre and are being advised by the Arts Development section of Cannock Chase Council. (For further information, please contact Jacqui Cooley, Arts Development Officer at Cannock Chase Council – 01543 462621.) They are hoping that local industries, which came to Rugeley because of miming and since its demise, will also be involved in their project. 

·        “Into the Light”, a major public art component of developments by Fred Pritchard, is progressing apace as building work in Bridgtown is going ahead.

·        A sensory garden project in Chadsmoor for children with disabilities is due to be completed in the spring. Organisers are hoping that local companies will consider donating slate and pebbles.

·        A further public art project for Norton Canes is now in the planning stage. 

The group were also very encouraged to learn that Channel 4 TV is running a public art competition and are taking a keen interest in the CHAPS’ application. For details on this CHAPS’ project please contact Lisa Shepherd, Arts Development Officer, at Cannock Chase Council (01543 462621).

Tony Wright added:

“Along with the sculpture in Queen’s Square, we are now at long last seeing any number of projects moving forward to commemorate the area’s history, as well as celebrating its present and looking forward to the future.

We particularly want the public’s support for our application to Channel 4. If they see the sort of local interest and enthusiasm that has been generated by our projects so far, it will stand us in very good stead in this national competition.

We also want to engage more local companies to help with the Lea Hall project and the sensory garden. If any companies feel they might like to help or to donate materials, we’d love to hear from them.”

9th January 2006

MP Calls for New Year Resolution To Play Safe With Gas

Chase MP Tony Wright is calling for residents to protect themselves and their families by making a New Year resolution to play safe with gas.

Supporting the campaign launched by CORGI (the Council of Registered Gas Installers), Tony Wright said:

“I am very happy to support the CORGI campaign to get people to have their gas appliances regularly maintained by a CORGI installer, and to check against Carbon Monoxide fumes.

CO poisoning can be a silent killer in the home, but is easily preventable. I am calling on my constituents to make a pledge to get their gas appliances and supply checked out this New Year and play things safe in 2006.”

CORGI is the national gas safety watchdog and it is a legal requirement for businesses carrying out gas work to be registered with them.