The pedestrian access from Morrison’s Car Park in Cannock to its town centre takes you via an under pass bridge. This walk way was in great need of a face lift, and after much consultation the concept of creating a gallery which featured artworks by local community groups, local artists, school children was developed. Co-opted members of CHAPS (Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles) were involved in developing its concept and seeing the project to fruition by working collaboratively with Cannock Chase Council.
Funded by both Cannock Chase Council, Staffordshire Council and Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, the underpass was part of a wider scheme to modernise and make local improvements. The process involved inviting artists in to take professional photos of their work and this being transferred onto tiles.
Please see the Changing Places – Mill Street Underpass video to see the whole process.
The public reported since it became an ‘outdoor tiled gallery’, they felt safer and more inclined to use this route, rather than trying to cross the busy road above.
Hint: The underpass artworks can be viewed from St Lukes Church garden or from Morrisons car park.
Khushi was commissioned to replace an existing vandalised fibreglass elephant following a request to CHAPS from a group of young residents who asked for their elephant back!
CHAPS obtained funding from local businesses to produce a new elephant in granite and when it was installed in the Town Centre ran a competition with local schools to find a suitable name for it. The name Khushi – a Hindu word meaning ‘Happy’ was selected.
Khushi is now an integral part of Cannock Town Centre. It is an example of CHAPS responding to a request that benefits the community, young and old. Young children are often seen ‘riding’ the elephant.
Hint: Khushi is situated in the pedestrianised area of Cannock Town Centre, opposite St Luke’s Church Lych Gate
This project allowed members of the public to record their thanks for the NHS and its employees, particularly during the Covid pandemic; CHAPS joined with other local organisations to support the national celebration of the 72nd birthday of the NHS and as a mark of respect for all those who had lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic,
CHAPS arranged to have use of the band stand in Cannock Town Centre over a period of time leading up to 5th July. They provided ribbons which could have messages written on them and were then tied to the bandstand, making a rainbow of ribbons and messages. They approached local shops to join with them – members of the public were able to collect ribbons from there too.
On the 4th and 5th of July there was a rainbow light show on and around the bandstand.
Members of the Cannock Chase area were pleased to be able to write their own messages of thanks to the NHS and to individuals within the NHS as well as having the opportunity to honour those who had lost their lives during this time.
In 2001 Chadsmoor Tapestry Group accepted a challenge suggested by MP Tony Wright, of creating an embroidery for the community to celebrate the area’s heritage, featuring images of Cannock’s past and present and its flora and fauna.
Challenge accepted, by the Chair Brenda Marshall, the creation took over six years to complete, involving over 50,000hrs. With support from CHAPS and co-opted members, the group secured a venue to sew the final creation and £9000 from the National Lottery, to ensure its professional framing, to safeguard its future. This huge undertaking was achieved by a team of volunteers who worked tirelessly in both their group sewing sessions, and at home resulting in an 11 x 6ft masterpiece.
Each and everyone of its creators was recognised at its unveiling in November 2007 and the group later received the Queens Award for Voluntary Services in 2011 to recognise all their contributions within this field.
Please note this can be viewed during Cannock Chase Council opening hours. Please request to view it at reception
A sculpture formed in stainless steel designed by Neil Wood to commemorate the mining heritage of the Cannock Chase Coalfield.
Eventually entitled ‘Heritage’ and funded by local businesses, the sculpture depicts miners and a colliery winding gear. It is located on Queen’s Square traffic roundabout approaching the town centre of Cannock and was unveiled in 2004 by the then Minister for the Arts, Rt Hon Estelle Morris MP.
As the sculpture is located on the traffic roundabout that many people negotiate on entering the town, Heritage provides a gateway for visitors to Cannock and has become a well-known landmark for its residents.