New campaign launched by Oswestry's British Ironwork Centre to inspire church leaders to support the anti-violence movement

A new campaign has been launched by Oswestry's British Ironwork Centre to inspire church leaders to support the anti-violence movement.

With one of the crosses made from confiscated knives, Clive Knowles, at the home of the Knife Angel, British Ironwork Centre, Oswestry

Clive Knowles, chairman of the British Ironwork Centre – where the famous Knife Angel was created, is turning confiscated knives into crucifixes to encourage church leaders to support the anti-violence tour of the Angel.

The Knife Angel is a sculpture formed of 100,000 knives created by artist Alfie Bradley. It was completed in 2018, the structure of the angel stands at 27 ft tall.

This week, efforts have been invigorated to further inspire church leaders across the UK to assist with the Knife Angels tour of our nation’s cities and towns.

Christian crucifixes have been cut out from used violent weapons confiscated by the police.

These crosses are being burnt from blades, all of which have been used in crimes and some will have actually caused wounding and even fatalities.

The crosses are polished to a mirror finish and threaded with white ribbon necklaces.

They are then couriered to church leaders up and down the country, with a plea for help.

With crosses made from confiscated knives, Clive Knowles, at the home of the Knife Angel, British Ironwork Centre, Oswestry

Mr Knowles said: "Obviously Covid derailed the National Anti-Violence tour with cities like Leicester, Cardiff and London failing to host. So now we are preparing to restoke the national effort in pushing back the acceptability of violent and aggressive behaviour and restart discussions with cities and towns over hosting again.

"The clergy in every town or city to date have played a pivotal role in hosting the Angel.

"Encouraging church leaders to get involved and help with the educational programmes that run parallel with the Angels arrival in each location, is essential."

When asked what inspired this new initiative, Mr Knowles said it was a meeting with the Bishop of Edmonton – Reverend Rob Wickham – the North London Bishop of four boroughs.

He said: "The Bishop presides over four boroughs, Barnet, Enfield, Camden and Harringay – the bishop wears a crucifix made from molten blades taken from the streets of London and it acts as a daily reminder of the work that’s to be done, in preventing further knife crime and violence generally.

"We of course hope that these crucifixes, inspire other church leaders to help with the national anti-violence tour. Each cross will leave with a covering plea asking for support when the Angel arrives in their location."