Man of Steel (sculpture)
The Steel Man will be a 32 metre high sculpture and Interpretation Hub located in Rotherham (J34,M1), forming a landmark gateway to Yorkshire and the Sheffield City Region.
The project began with a simple idea to create a landmark artwork and visitor centre that would act as a beacon for the Yorkshire region and a catalyst for change: The 32 metre high stainless steel sculpture and Hub will be built in Rotherham, a town steeped in the history of steel production for generations. The Steel Man will honour the people and places that forged this heritage of Steel and it will highlight the new technologies and specialised manufacturing that is helping to generate the northern powerhouse. Schools, Universities and other educational facilities have embraced the project which will stand as a totemic symbol of British manufacturing and innovation.
The sculpture and Interpretation Hub is widely supported by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and a coalition of local companies and other organisations. It will stand on land provided by FCC Environment, (one of the world's largest waste services companies) next to the M1 motorway at Kimberworth in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England. A 99-year lease has been generously provided by the landowners and work is expected to begin in 2017.
The figure will be made from stainless steel, recognising the important development of stainless steel by Harry Brearley in Sheffield more than 100 years ago. It will sit on a coal-black column, which will honour the region's huge coal seams. The column will include an observation deck accessible by a lift and stairs. The sculpture will be widely visible to passing traffic travelling on the M1 across the Tinsley Viaduct and visitors to Meadowhall with a combined potential audience of many millions of people a year. The sculpture will overlook the site of the former Tinsley Towers (Blackburn Meadows) and provide a landmark as well as a catalyst for tourism and inward investment.
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Heritage Lottery Fund: The Steel Man was awarded Heritage Lottery Funding support in April 2016. The award will help fund an eco-friendly Interpretation Hub, which will include an exhibition space, café and a shop. Schools and other visitors of all ages will learn about the heritage of the region and how it has influenced the present.
Heart of Steel Appeal: The 'Heart of Steel' appeal was launched in July 2014 and is an important part of the future community legacy of The Steel Man: a 2.5 metre 3 tonne Heart of Steel will sit inside the figure, with up to 150,000 names of people from across the region. Thousands of people with local connections and personal recollections have already donated to support the project.
The Rotherham Heart of Steel is a full-size replica of the 'Heart of Steel' and was unveiled in the Minster Gardens in Rotherham town centre on 4 July 2015. At the same time The Steel Man charity - Yorkshire Icon Ltd (reg no 1159282) - announced its official collaboration with the British Heart Foundation; 10% of all donations to the Heart of Steel appeal will support the BHF and their important work in life-saving heart research. The Rotherham Heart of Steel lighting up ceremony took place at the Minster Gardens on 29 September 2015.
The Steel Man is expected to be complete by 2019. The cost has been estimated at £4.2 million. [1]
References
- ↑ BBC News, Sheffield & South Yorkshire. M1 Man of Steel sculpture plans approved
Coordinates: 53°25′30″N 1°24′25″W / 53.424878°N 1.407001°W
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