It’s being moved today
The Steel Man is being hoisted into position outside Goodwin in Hanley
The iconic Steel Man statue is being relocated today. The statue – paying tribute to Shelton Bar steelworkers – had been on display in Hanley since the 1970s.
But it has been moved and is today being positioned outside the Goodwin factory on Leek Road, in Hanley. It was created by local sculptor Colin Melbourne and commissioned by Shelton and Steel Action Committee.
Blastfurnaceman Jesse Clarke was one of the men chosen to model for the statue. Jesse was the last in a long line of Clarke men to have worked at Shelton Bar.
Niece Julie Taylor said: “I remember when Uncle Jesse first told us about this – he did have his leg pulled a lot about his new modelling career. We were proud though.
“I was only young but I know how proud everyone was. I remember my mum telling people about it. There was a bit of a family history with Shelton Bar. My grandad – another Jesse Clarke – worked there as well as quite a few generations of the family.
“When the statue was first created, we were told it might go to the National Union of Blastfurnacemen’s headquarters in London or even be melted down into small pewter models. I’m pleased that it will remain on public display here in the city where he lived and worked.”
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