Good as ewe: Newport's roundabout sheep sculpture restored after crash split the herd
A much-missed sheep sculpture that was hit by a car has finally been knocked back into shape and returned to its roundabout home.
A steel ram, which had for many years lived with two steel ewes on a roundabout outside Newport, has been lovingly restored and returned to its rightful place.
The sculpture, the work of Ludlow based artist Tim Roper, was damaged in a crash in November last year.
A vehicle travelled over the roundabout and wiped out the metal ram in its centre. The two ewes were unharmed in the incident.
The sculptures are so well-known in Newport the roundabout, which connects the A518 with Station Road on the southeast edge of the town, is known to locals as the 'Sheep Island'.
Newport councillor Tim Nelson banded together with volunteer group Newport in Bloom and Telford & Wrekin Council to restore the ram to the roundabout.
After undergoing repairs at the hands of the original sculptor, the sheep was returned to the roundabout in mid-May with a shiny new coat.
The return of the ram was celebrated by Newport residents, who had become accustomed to the welcoming sight of the three steel sheep.
Anne Meredith, Newport resident and volunteer with Newport in Bloom, said: "It's great that it's back, it was such a shame it was damaged in the first place.
"When people are visiting it's handy to tell them to turn at the 'sheep roundabout'. I can't remember how long they've been there, they're definitely one of those things that you take for granted until it's gone!"
