Jigger, Brownhills’ iconic miner statue, will be lit up at night so it can be seen for miles around, it was announced today. Top-of-the-range spotlights will be used to light up the £70,000 structure.
It was named by teenager Jak Groves in memory of his great grandfather Jack Taylor who lost his life in a Walsall Wood pit tragedy in 1951.
The statue the island at the junction of High Street and Chester Road North, has become one of the most recognisable landmarks in Brownhills but can be difficult to see after dark.
Lights, costing £3,000, are expected to be installed later this year.
Brownhills Councillor Alan Paul is one of the statue’s biggest fans.
He said: “This is great news. The people of Brownhills have been asking for the miner to be illuminated for some time and I’m delighted to confirm that this will now take place.
“Its illumination will be a beautiful spectacle at night and will become a focal point in the middle of the town.”
Unveiled in 2006, Jigger has become a huge hit and even has its own postcard.
3 Comments
Jigger??? I and everyone I know call it the tin man, it always has been and I dont think it will change now.
I live in Brownhills and think it unfair for it to be named after one man….plenty on men gave their lives in those coal pits and the frivolous spending on this statue is ridiculous when the town and the estate Brownhills West is going to ruin!
Presumably the environmental legislation regarding light pollution has been studied and adhered to?
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 amended the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to bring artificial light from premises under the statutory nuisance regime as of 6 April 2006
I’d hate to see so much expense apportioned to this idea only to find the spotlights can never be turned on because they would break the law.
No, I’m not an astronomer, but I’m sure there will be some that are more than annoyed about this proposal.