The Ground Remembers Sculpture

Big Kirk Hallam,  a £1.2m ten year resident-led programme, was funded through the Big Lottery to help make Kirk Hallam an even better place to live.  The scheme was lead by residents from the community and was run by engaging residents in discussions, focus groups and regular community meetings. 

The partnership have achieved fantastic results in their work over the decade and helped many community groups, as well as updating the community centre and providing funds for community activities and community days. The main areas they wished to focus on were:

• Things to do and places to go
• Quality of life
• Access and the environment
• Engage residents in discussions, focus groups and in the partnership over the decade.

In addition to the wonderful achievements of the partnership, Big Kirk Hallam wanted to  commission a sculpture that celebrates Kirk Hallam residents and the journey of this once small agricultural village through time.

Big Kirk Hallam's aim was to honour the rich industrial heritage of the community through impactful public art that inspires remembrance and connection. Every element of Deb Wrekons sculpture is crafted to evoke memories and engage the community, creating a lasting tribute to those who have come before. The pipe used in the sculpture is the very last pipe ever made at Stanton. 

 This commemorative piece of public art has been commissioned to educate and inform the public in years to come; of the history of the area so it is not forgotten. Debs' sculpture aims to commemorate the past residents and their lives working in or living near the factory, as well as honouring the current population of the Hallam and provide community aspirations for the future generations. Big Kirk Hallams aim is also to educate the future generations as to why Kirk Hallam is what it is to this day,. 

"The Ground Remembers" is an Industrial tribute to the people of Kirk Hallam's Past, Present and Future and Deb Wrekon has created a heritage piece of art that does exactly that.