Stone tribute to Valley’s quarry workers
AGIANT, stone landmark commemorating workers who used to be employed in the Rossendale Valley’s stone quarries is the culmination of a project first mooted in 2013.
The brainchild of late former councillor Alderman Michael McShea, the recently erected Stone Man monument stands at the entrance to the railway tunnels in Waterfoot.
The structure, which gained planning permission in 2019, is an impressive 2.2m high with an armspan of 1.45m. Access is gained from a public bridleway leading to the bridge over the River Irwell and the Grade II-listed railway tunnels.
A good friend of the late Brian Boys, Michael had contacted the company to ask if the company could help with a vision he had to erect a stone statue in the local area, similar to one he had seen an image of in Whistler, the popular ski resort in Canada.
He wanted the monument to commemorate the local workers who had worked in the stone quarries in the Rossendale Valley.
Sadly, he was terminally ill with cancer at the time and passed away in May 2018, but he asked if Boys could do their best to carry out his wishes.
The monument is on council-owned land, but the project has been managed by the Stacksteads Countryside Park Group, headed up by Jackie Oakes. It was agreed that B&E Boys would also organise a plaque in addition to the stone structure, to commemorate the work done by Michael in the Stacksteads area over the years.
In a statement B&E Boys said: “None of this would have been possible without the assistance, guidance and valuable contributions from a number of people who have given their time to make Michael McShea’s vision a reality for the Stacksteads Countryside Park Group.”
They added: “Structural Engineer, Michael Pooler, assisted with the structure, and Jon and Geraldine Edmonson achieved planning permission for the project. Gordon Lyons, of Lyons Stonework, sized, drilled and constructed the stone blocks on the site.
“The Stone Man will be an impressive sight and a fitting memorial, not only to those who worked in the stone quarries but also to the dedicated service that the late Michael McShea gave to the council and the local community.
“B&E Boys would like to extend thanks to everyone who has been involved in the project.”