Saltergate Artwork Unveiled
A piece of public artwork recognising Saltergate’s football heritage has been unveiled by Chesterfield Borough Council next to Barratt Homes’ new housing development.
Designed in consultation with Chesterfield FC supporters, the commemorative piece celebrates the football ground which occupied the site for almost 140 years – featuring the inscription ‘Saltergate 1871 – 2010’ as well as Chesterfield FC supporters celebrating a goal.
Known as ‘The Spirit of Saltergate,” the metal sculpture was designed by local artist Melanie Jackson, who also worked on ‘Growth,’ which is now on display at Horns Bridge Roundabout. Its stone base was supplied by locally-based Realstone Ltd in Wingerworth.
A series of 11 bronze plaques have also been produced with images associated with Chesterfield FC. Each has a QR code allowing people to scan them and watch short videos about the history of the club on their smartphones, with content having been supplied by Chesterfield FC Community Trust from its archives.
Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Planning said:
“Like many other Chesterfield FC supporters, I have many happy memories of matches at Saltergate and so it is good that this has been reflected in this artwork by Melanie Jackson and the plaques with details of the club’s history.
“I’m pleased current supporters were involved in developing the design for the artwork, which will allow future generations to see where Saltergate football ground stood.”
Peter Whiteley Director at Chesterfield FC Community Trust added: “It was a great idea to include the fans when thinking about commemorating the Club’s former home. I am proud of what the final artwork represents.
“It is also very exciting that there is a multimedia aspect to the piece and it can be a focus for the ongoing heritage work undertaken by the Community Trust.”
The Saltergate artwork is the second in a series of public art funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Barratt Homes following the Growth sculpture at Hornsbridge Island, also designed by Melanie Jackson.
The scheme also saw improvements made to the approach to Chesterfield Railway Station with funding from the European Regional Development Fund.
