City firsts celebrated

Salford helped launch the Industrial Revolution, had England’s first public park, first free public library, first horse drawn tram service and the first street in the country to be lit by gas.

Local men and women pioneered social and scientific advances, made sacrifices in war, helped women win the vote, invented Vimto and created music, films and art renowned the world over.

Now that rich history of Salford Firsts – many of which happened on Chapel Street - has been celebrated with a new cast bronze sculpture in Bexley Square, in front of the city’s old town hall.

World-famous artist Emma Rodgers created a horse and lamp post to symbolise Salford’s rich heritage and added a small dog cocking its leg against the post in tribute to artist Harold Riley’s famous dog sketches. Funding came from developers X1 who transformed the Victorian town hall into apartments.

“The sculpture pays tribute to Salford’s past and present spirit of innovation and creativity and the horses who played such a key role on the canals, in the mines and as the transport system,” said Emma who is best known for her Cilla Black statue in Liverpool.

“The horse’s veins mirror the Bridgewater Canal which launched the Industrial Revolution in 1761. Train tracks run along the bridle symbolising the first public railway through Eccles and across Chat Moss in 1830 and books run through the mane as England’s first free public library opened in 1850 in Chapel Street. It also pays tribute to the unique Working Class Movement library nearby.

“Each book represents a piece of Salford’s history and remembers famous sons and daughters such as Emmeline Pankhurst and scientist James Prescott Joules who lived locally. A poppy honours the Salford Pals who died in World War One, and a tribute to Vimto as the first factory was on Chapel Street.

“Messages and sayings from famous Salfordians adorn the horse including poet John Cooper Clark, musicians Graham Nash and Peter ‘Hooky’ Hook and actor Albert Finney.”

City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “Emma has packed an amazing amount into this stunning sculpture. It’s a beautiful addition to historic Bexley Square and Chapel Street."

See a gallery of photos including Monty, one of the models for the sculpture, meeting his likeness for the first time issuu.com/salfordcouncil/docs click issue 34.