A leading galvanizing firm has teamed up with a blacksmith specialist to protect a range of sculptures as part of a major regeneration project in the north east.
Humber Galvanizing, part of Wedge Group Galvanizing, worked with Whitby-based Godbold Blacksmiths Ltd to provide its specialist hot dip galvanizing treatment to 1.5tonnes of steel used to produce a series of eye-catching sculptures to mark Middlesbrough’s maritime and ship building heritage, which have been installed at Chertsey Green in Pallister Park.
The project, which was commissioned by Groundwork North East and Cumbria and designed by sculpture artist, Andrew Mckeown, saw the companies work in collaboration to design, fabricate, and protect the sculptures which have been installed across an area spanning 100m2.
Liz Allen, Senior Landscape Architect at Groundwork North East and Cumbria, added: “The regeneration of Pallister Park has been a very exciting project and the feedback we’ve already received from the local residents has been hugely positive.”
The project took six weeks to complete, with Godbold Blacksmiths Ltd creating the sculptures and a memorial to recognise Middlesbrough’s pioneering maritime history, with Andrew Mckeown leading on the design with help from students at Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School. The sculptures also recognise Middlesbrough’s connection to Captain Cook and his explorations, as well as the thousands of ships which were built on the Tees by local employees, many of which lived in Pallister Park, near the river and at Cargo Fleet – Middlesbrough’s first and original port.
James Godbold of Godbold Blacksmiths Ltd, added: “As the sculptures are permanently situated outdoors and open to the elements, galvanizing was an essential choice of protection against weathering and rust, and will ensure they’ll continue to look welcoming in years to come.”