Laughton artwork ‘steels’ the show

Five sculptures have been installed around the village depicting birds common to the area, including a magpie, a heron, a swallow and a swift.

Last week the artwork was unveiled with the help of pupils from Laughton Common Junior School and councillor Simon Tweed.

Artist Gillian Brent began work on the sculptures in 2008 when she led workshops with local people to develop ideas and designs for them.

The work was funded by Persimmon Homes for the local estate and residents of the White City Development chose the project as a gift to Laughton Common.

Instead of the art work going in the new housing development, residents opted to the art work to be located around the village for everyone to share.

Gillian met and worked with local schools, young people and residents to create the sculptures, which are sited at key points throughout Laughton Common including Hangman’s Lane and Heritage Court on Outgang Lane.

After the workshops were held, school children and local people visited her studio, where they tried their hands at welding and helped to make models of the sculptures.

Gillian also consulted with Laughton Common Tenants and Residents Association and Thurcroft Parish Council.

Local resident Pat McLauchan said: “We are really pleased to see the sculptures been installed at last.”

Pupils at Laughton Common Junior School wrote poems about the birds depicted on the sculptures, which they read out at the unveiling.

Gillian, who also designed the new benches for Heritage Court, said she was pleased to see the hard work and contributions of local people rewarded.