A LARGE slab of Sandstone has been erected in Middlewich and will be carved into a lasting monument over three years and unveiled at FAB Fest 2017.

The sandstone was delivered onto the field next to the Salinae Day Centre on Leadsmithy Street before the FAB Fest on Friday, June 19, by team from the Saltscape project.

The Saltscape project aims to protect, enhance and celebrate the unique salt landscape of the salt towns and will run for the next three years.

The sandstone will be used to create a lasting monument for Middlewich, carved with images depicting the area’s boating heritage by Cheshire stone carving artist, Andrew Worthington.
The carving will evolve throughout the three years of the Saltscape project and work will be completed at the Folk and Boat Festival in 2017.

Saul Burton, Project Officer for Saltscape said: “We are delighted to be working with local people to create this monument to the area’s important canal heritage. The canals were key to the success of the salt industry in the region and that’s something we’re keen to commemorate.

“The sandstone has been brought in from Cumbria; it’s a very good match to local sandstone, but it has a lighter grain, more suitable for carving.”

Visitors to the Folk and Boat Festival weekend were given the chance to try their hand at stone carving and help create the overall design.

Saltscape is a project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and led by Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside.

For further information about the Saltscape Landscape Partnership visit saltscape.co.uk or contact project manager Alison Lomax on 01606 723160.