Beautiful new viewpoint sculpture celebrates Shireoaks’ industrial heritage and future

The beautiful 3.8-metre steel structure – titled From Acorns – was officially unveiled at The Woodlands on the former Shireoaks Colliery site on Friday (14 August) and captures the area’s rich industrial past ‘while celebrating our present’.

From Acorns has been commissioned by the Friends of Woodlands and Coach Wood Green and Nottinghamshire County Council’s Green Spaces team and created by artist and sculptor Richard Janes.

He worked closely with pupils from Haggonfields Junior School and St Luke’s Primary School, Shireoaks History Group, as well as the local community through a series of workshops – with ideas and designs developed during those sessions helping to inspire the finished sculpture.

The sculpture has been made from galvanised steel and features three panels depicting imagery connected to Shireoaks’ industrial past, including the former colliery, the Chesterfield Canal and the Cuckoo Boats which transported coal from the colliery to the River Trent.

From Acorns also reflects the transformation of the former colliery site into an important green space where people can enjoy the outdoors and nature can thrive.

Councillor Bert Bingham, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment and member for Worksop West, said: “This wonderful sculpture is a fitting tribute to Shireoaks and the generations of people whose lives were shaped by the colliery and the industries that surrounded it.

“It is particularly special because the local community has helped shape its design, ensuring that the stories and heritage of the area are captured for future generations.

“The transformation of the former colliery into a thriving green space is something to be celebrated, and this sculpture beautifully connects that past with the future. I left school to start my NCB apprenticeship down Shireoaks Colliery.

“I would like to thank the Friends of Woodlands and Coach Wood Green for their tireless work, fundraising and commitment to this special place, as well as everyone who contributed to the project.

The project was funded through Bassetlaw District Council’s Rural England Prosperity Programme grant of £10,000, Shireoaks Parish Council, local donations and crowdfunding.

Katharine Palmer, Chair of the Friends of Woodlands and Coach Wood Green, said the sculpture was a lasting reflection of the community’s passion for the site and the dedication of volunteers, funders and partners.

She said: “We are thrilled to officially launch this beautiful new viewpoint sculpture, a stunning centrepiece that perfectly captures our rich past while celebrating our present.

“From the initial design ideas to the final installation, this spectacular project highlights the immense dedication and community spirit of our volunteers, funders, and partners.

“It offers a wonderful new destination for the Woodlands, standing as a proud, lasting reflection of our community's passion for this special green space.”

Cllr Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Identity, Planning and Place at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “The Friends of Woodlands and Coach Wood Green should be very proud of what they have achieved with support from the Rural England Prosperity funding.

"The new viewpoint sculpture gives the community a special place to visit and enjoy while walking around the site, and I'd like to thank the friends for all their hard work.”

The original timber benches around the summit walls, created by sculptor Lewis Morgan, have also been refurbished.

They retain orientation panels highlighting places of interest visible from the summit, which were produced through community and school workshops in 2013.

The Woodlands is an extensive area of native broadleaf woodland and conservation grassland, with surfaced tracks and links to the surrounding Rights of Way network and Chesterfield Canal.

It is owned and managed by the county council’s Green Spaces team.