Knife angel set to be back on the road later this year

The anti-knife crime sculpture, had been on a tour of Britain when the Covid pandemic struck 12 months ago.

Since then it has been back at its home at the British Ironwork Centre near Oswestry where it was created by artist, Alfie Bradley.

Chairman of the centre, Clive Knowles, said plans were now being drawn up to restart the Knife Angel's tour with Chelmsford in Essex asking to host the sculpture in September.

He said he was delighted to be able to be now planning for the initiative to be back on track.

"Chelmsford has committed to a full month of intensive anti-violence education for the city," he said.

The Knife Angel was originally the figurehead of a nationwide Save a Life, Surrender your Knife campaign.

It was created from more than 100,000 knives either handed in during weapon amnesties up and down the country or confiscated by police forces.

It also serves as a memorial to those who have lost their lives to knife crime. Families from across Britain have visited the Shropshire tourist attraction to write their loved one's name on a blade for the sculpture.

Before the first lockdown the angel had been spending a month at venues across the UK with those hosting it also agreeing to work with organisations to hold anti-violence education events during the month.

It took centre stage at Liverpool Cathedral and also at Coventry Cathedral, with thousands visiting the piece of art as well as going to Tyneside.

Closer to home the sculpture spent a month in Newtown in mid Wales and was in Telford when the Covid restrictions were brought in last March.

The Knife Angel is a popular attraction at the British Ironwork Centre, home to hundreds of sculptures.

Staff at the visitor attractions are working behind the scenes to get ready for its re-opening which Mr Knowles said he hoped would be on April 12.

He said that the venue had been busy "re-inventing" itself while the site had been closed to visitors.