Memorial plan for father of Industrial Revolution Darby
ABLACK Country woman has launched a campaign for a memorial to the ‘father of the Industrial Revolution’, Abraham Darby, in his home town of Woodsetton, near Dudley.
Mandy Caddick is being backed by local councillor Kieran Casey in her bid to place the public artwork on the corner of Sedgley Road and Birmingham Road.
Born on February 14, 1678, Darby is famous for developing a method of producing pig iron in a blast furnace fuelled by coke, not charcoal, one of the pivotal developments of the early Industrial Revolution.
A devout Quaker, Darby’s achievements helped shape the way we live today.
With fellow Quaker John Thomas, he set up the world’s first metallurgy lab.
The inventor had unwavering faith in his own abilities, stating: “I am of the belief that a more effective means of iron production may be achieved.
“There are many that doubt me foolhardy. They see not the use to which this (iron) could be put to, yea, I shall strive to find a better means to this end.”
He died on March 8, 1717, at his adopted home in Madeley, Shropshire.
Many attribute Darby with helping to create that area’s most famous landmark, The Iron Bridge.
In fact, the credit belongs to his grandson.
Ms Caddick said: “Last year I was reading about Abraham Darby The Elder and his achievements and the fact that he came from the Woodsetton.
“I then put together plans for a project to honour him in the area, working alongside Councillor Casey on this. We hope to get children at Bramford Primary School, in Woodsetton, to create a rose garden to grow the Abraham Darby Rose, created by Shropshire rose breeder, David Austin.
“We also hope to get pupils at Telford’s Abraham Darby Academy
to do projects on him. We have support from The Local Quaker Society and the Darby family.”
Ms Caddick made headlines in July when she unveiled a memorial stone to Coseley’s Great War Victoria Cross hero Thomas Barratt. She is the soldier’s third cousin.
Ms Caddick and Councillor Casey are not alone in honouring one of the Black Country’s most famous sons.
Dudley-based Holden’s Brewery are to produce a Darby beer that will be launched just before Christ- mas this year. And the business has pledged to donate ten per cent of sales to the memorial project.
Ms Caddick added: “The beer will not only make an ideal Christmas present, it will also be helping this great project.
“The label has been designed by borough artist Steve Field and it depicts the memorial design.
“We are hopeful that the Memorial will be in place in Woodsetton at the end of 2018, early 2019, for the 310th anniversary of the opening of Abraham’s first furnace.”