Now Stoke bids to host Shropshire's Knife Angel
Shropshire’s Knife Angel is likely to be put on show in Stoke-on-Trent next, after being taken to a number of cities up and down the country.
The impressive sculpture, designed and created at the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry by Alfie Bradley to raise awareness of knife crime, is currently in Coventry.
Hull and Liverpool have hosted it so far, and now Stoke-on-Trent Council has expressed a serious interest in taking it to the city.
Council leader Ann James said the authority was keen to have it installed near to the Bethesda Chapel.
She said in a letter to centre chairman Clive Knowles: “If successful in our quest to host the Knife Angel, I propose to install the artwork in the gardens of Bethesda Chapel.
Ornate
“Known locally as the Cathedral of the Potters, it is being one of the largest and most ornate Methodist town chapels surviving in the UK.
“This unique building is a place of meaning and memories for the city and not just an architectural showcase for Victorian splendour and civic pride.
“The recently-restored chapel and gardens was a national finalist in the BBC Restoration programme and is located in the heart of the city’s vibrant cultural quarter, close to cultural venues with good infrastructure, car parks and a public transport hub.
“I would be thrilled to show you the proposed location and discuss the next steps to bring the national monument to Stoke-on-Trent.
“Please accept this letter as a serious expression of interest in hosting the Knife Angel in Stoke-on-Trent.”
