'Diamonds in the Rough'

A Public Art commission funded by The Bromford Group. Four one metre by one metre panels celebrating the history and people of Rough Hills Tavern and the wealth of its industrial heritage. The panels form a timeline, through from the days of collieries and coal mining, the area’s original main industry, to industries such as car manufacturing, steelwork and japanning. The network of canals depicted throughout the panels represent the huge importance they had to industrial history and still today, for leisure and lifestyle. At the turn of the 19th century Rough Hills Tavern was home to the Victoria Grounds, a famous site mentioned in a far-flung American magazine at the time. Rough Hills Tavern played a huge role within sporting and community activities, the tavern itself providing food, ale and bets for spectators of walking (pedestrianism) running and cycling races. Sunbeam was one of the most important employers in the area, manufacturing vehicles of all kinds, from cars to bicycles. Steel manufacturing provided employment at Springvale Steelworks (Bilston) while the Star Japanning company provided employment within the enameling and japanning industry. Within the panels inspiration has been drawn from the work of photographer Nick Hedges, who photographed life at Bilston Steelworks in the seventies just before it closed. ‘ Big Bessie’ the last steel blast furnace to be demolished is represented, alongside a Sunbeam logo from the 1930’s. The birds and butterflies are reminiscent of the beautiful japanning produced in the area, vehicles represented are taken from a Goodyear tyre advert, there is a backdrop of factory buildings. The red sky depicts a renown quote that is quintessentially Black Country – ‘Black by day red by night’.

Many thanks to all for the support in the research process :- Graham Fisher OBE, Wolverhampton Archives, Wolverhampton Museum and Art Gallery, Black Country Echoes, Bantock House, Bilston Art Gallery.