Artwork on show in Middleton

Middleton Township Vice Chair Councillor Alan Godson, Debbie Teale, Community Champion for the new Tesco store, artist Tim Rushton, and Martin Ledson from Rochdale Development Agency are joined by youngsters from St John Fisher Primary School

Middleton’s past will now sit side-by-side with its future thanks to a new piece of public art.

Youngsters from St John Fisher Primary School officially opened the new Tesco Gateway public art feature which will link the town’s new Tesco Extra store with Middleton Gardens.

The artwork will feature eight stainless steel banners and 30 decorative cast iron floor panels that all represent a part of Middleton’s history. The artwork will show events, industries and people that have shaped the town from the ice age to the present day.

The cast iron panels will change colour over time as people walk across their surface – changing from an orange rust colour to dark brown.

Some of the town’s most famous sons, including Lord Chancellor Thomas Langley, architect Edgar Wood, and political radical Samuel Bamford are all featured in the piece. A cast has also been dedicated to the Middleton Guardian to celebrate its contribution to the town.

Middleton Township Chair Councillor Peter Williams said: “The artwork is very symbolic.

“It will see the highlights of Middleton’s past sitting alongside a new major development, which shows how we are preparing for the future.”

Manchester-based artist Tim Rushton was chosen to carry out the work after he won a competition in May 2008 led by Rochdale Development Agency to find the most appropriate design for a public art feature as part of the development of the new Tesco store.

He said: “It’s great to see the artwork complete. It is a fitting tribute to Middleton and its very rich history.”

The £100,000 artwork has been funded by Tesco and Rochdale Borough Council as part of the new supermarket development.

Debbie Teale, Community Champion for the new store, said: “It was fantastic to have the children opening the new artwork.

“Tesco will play a big part in Middleton’s future, so it is great that we have been involved in a project that embraces the town’s past.”

RDA Chief Executive John Hudson added: “We spend a good deal of time thinking about Middelton’s future so it is great to be part of a project that recognises and celebrates the town’s past.”

“I would like to thank Tesco for being such a willing partner in supporting this project. Also the artist, Tim Rushton, for doing such a great job in turning the community’s ideas into such a fantastic artwork”.