Sculpture honours Black Country steelworks

The statue commemorates the Round Oak Steelworks, which operated in Brierley Hill for 125 years

Steve Field A sculpture stands in front of a row of shops. The sculpture depicts a brown vessel suspended in the air and pouring out a silver river of metal. The silver strip flows into another brown vessel on the ground. There is a small amount of snow on the street in the background. — The statue commemorates the Round Oak Steelworks, which operated in Brierley Hill for 125 years

A Black Country steelworks that operated for 125 years has been commemorated with a large sculpture near its former site.

The former Round Oak Steelworks in Brierley Hill, which operated from 1857 until 1982, was a major employer in the town.

The 14-foot (4m) sculpture, designed by Dudley borough artist Steve Field, has gone on display at the junction of Dudley Road and John Street.

Mr Field said it had been a privilege to work on the sculpture, which depicts a vessel suspended in the air as it pours out metal.

He added that Black Country residents showed a huge interest in the steelworks when he undertook research to prepare for the project.

“People came forward with memorabilia – books and objects associated with the steelworks,” he told BBC Radio WM.

Steve Field, who designed the sculpture, said residents were still very interested in the history of the steelworks

Steve Field A man sitting on a couch. The man has grey hair, a grey beard and glasses. He is wearing a dark grey jumper. He is sitting on a green couch that has black and white sketches balanced on it. The room is lit with yellow-tinged lamplight. — Steve Field, who designed the sculpture, said residents were still very interested in the history of the steelworks

This memorabilia included blue spectacles that were used to protect workers’ eyes, as well as manuals.

Mr Field said he had given the items to Dudley Museum so they could be preserved.

The Round Oak operation began as an iron works in 1857 and originally belonged to the Earl of Dudley, according to records on the National Archives website.

A steel plant was added to its site in the late 19th century and it increasingly focused on manufacturing the alloy.

The new sculpture, which is close to where the steelworks' entrance used to be, has prompted people to share their family connections to the plant on social media.

“Fantastic - about time Round Oak and all its men were remembered. My dad and lots of great men worked there,” one Facebook user said.

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