Sculpture or scrap?

Feb 20 2009 by Naomi Dunning, Chester Chronicle

Sculpture or scrap?

Ed Walley’s 130ft iron man has become one of the city’s biggest talking points. NAOMI DUNNING reports

THE Duke of Westminster thinks the Iron Man is an eyesore on his land – but does that mean that Cestrians should turn their noses up at this expensive and elaborate sculpture as well?

Former city councillor, farmer and designer Ed Walley has offered to bequeath his 30-ton metal creation, which took years to assemble, to Chester – a snip at £25k.

The prospect of having the Iron Giant as our own ‘Angel of The North West’ has divided opinions.

Chester City Centre Management, who have orchestrated a Chester City of Giants festival this year, are mulling over the idea.

Co-ordinator Stephen Wundke said: “We have had over 40 responses to our office, every one of them encouraging us to try to secure this landmark for the city.

“In our opinion a number of the locations may not be possible but two that stood out were for the giant to be placed on the Fountains Roundabout, as it would signify the Northgate to the city, and on the land owned by the zoo adjoining the M53 so visitors would know they were approaching Chester – The Giant City. Both seemed strong interpretations of this special piece of art.

“We could see a possible structural problem with the Fountains Roundabout, although we are not engineers, but people seemed equally in favour of the M53 and clearly this would identify arrival in Chester.

“Some of the more challenging locations included The Deans Field, in the river on the weir by the Old Dee Bridge and the Meadows.

“I hope we can find a place for this iconic structure before the 500th anniversary next year of our city as a giant-making headquarters for the UK.”