Type=image;ImageID=11488;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=The Pendeford Dovecote;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=11489;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Autherley Junction;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=11490;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Boulton Paul Ltd;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=11491;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Heptathlete Denise Lewis;TitleClass=strong;
The mosaics were created by members of Pendeford Art Group and are located at regular intervals along a 1 kilometre long footpath which forms part of the new sports facilities at Barnhurst Lane.
The mosaics explore local history, including Pendeford's 17th century Dovecote, the Autherley canal junction and the aeroplanes that used to be built by Boulton Paul and flown from Pendeford Airfield, such as the Hawker Demon biplane, the famous Second World War Defiant and the Balliol Trainer.
Another mosaic celebrates the achievement of local woman Denise Lewis in winning the heptathlon gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, while mosaic "distance markers" are set at 100m intervals along the path, so that walkers can see how far they have travelled.
Design concepts were put forward by members of the Art Group, led by Mary Alison, and worked into detailed designs by the lead artist Steve Field. They were then partly created in workshops in Pendeford led by Steve and associate artists Richard Ellis and Helen Sweeting, before being completed in Steve's studio and installed in the footpath by Lou Galante.
Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "This pictorial trail has proved very popular with walkers, runners and cyclists who use the footpath and compliments perfectly the new sports facilities at Barnhurst Lane.
"I would like to thank Steve Field and Pendeford Art Group for their hard work in producing the trail and for enshrining the heritage of the local area in this unique way."
Steve said: "We think local people of all ages will enjoy walking or running along the pictorial trail, including the pupils of the adjacent Aldersley High School."
The new sports facilities at Barnhurst Lane, opened this summer, include 2 full size grass sports pitches, 3 junior size pitches, 6 mini soccer pitches and 1km of pedestrian pathways suitable for walking, cycling and running. The work was carried out by the council with support from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund.
- released: Monday 12 December, 2016