Carl's call for more tributes

Historian Carl Chinn today called for more monuments and works of art to honour past Black Country icons - after a tribute to actress Madeleine Carroll was unveiled.

Professor Chinn said he would support calls to mark significant contributions made by people from the Black Country in the past.

The Express & Star columnist was on hand this week to welcome the unveiling of a tribute to the West Bromwich movie legend.

A stone memorial in memory of the 30s and 40s Hollywood star was revealed to the public during a ceremony in West Bromwich Town Square.

He has already suggested some well known Sandwell sons who would be perfect for similar treatment.

"I would be in support of other monuments and pubic pieces of art that would link the present and future with the past," he said.

"These not only symbolise the importance of the people but also help provoke thought."

He mentioned Jack Judge from Oldbury, who wrote the famous marching song It's a Long Way to Tipperary, would be perfect for a future memorial as would Reverend John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, who hailed from Wednesbury.

Dr Chinn said there were also momentous historic occasions in Birmingham and the rest of the Black Country that could also be honoured in the future.

Speaking about the Madeleine Carroll memorial stone Dr Chinn praised its design which he said represented the style of the era.

"As soon as I saw it I thought I loved its art-deco feel which ties in with the architectural theme of the 1930s," he said.

By Richard Wyatt