Express & Star

Wonder-shell! New project for town

A fundraising campaign to bring an artillery shell back to a Black Country high street has been relaunched.

Published
The new shell

Campaigners in Halesowen are appealing for donations to get an artillery shell installed on Shell Corner once again, after one previously stood there after the First World War.

Halesowen ward councillor Stuart Henley called it an important project and said the shell will also be used as a memorial for remembrance.

A First World War shell stood in the area between 1924 to 1937, which is how Shell Corner earned its name, but it disappeared following changes to road layouts.

Now Councillor Henley has relaunched a fundraising campaign as part of the project, which would see a planter installed to hold the shell.

He launched the campaign last year and managed to raise £340, but that is way off the £8,000 he needs for the full project. A large chunk of the money is needed to pay Dudley Council to move the road signage, councillor Henley said.

He was given a new artillery shell to be put on display in Shell Corner by a bomb squad in Essex around 18 months ago.

Students from Halesowen College have painted art work onto it which includes silhouettes of soldiers.

Councillor Henley said: “Shell Corner is famous for its shell.

“This project is important for the heritage of the area.

“Hopefully, local projects like this can improve the area and bring the community together.” Shell Corner was originally known as The Junction. In its heyday after the two world wars, it had three butchers, a grocers, bakers and two ladies’ and men’s hairdressers, with a strong community spirit. However, in recent years it has been blighted by drug crime and vandalism. Councillor Henley wants the shell to be erected on the corner of Long Lane and Maple Road.

He said a planter will cost around £2,000. But road signage will need to be moved in order to accommodate the shell. Councillor Henley added: “Dudley Council want me to pay them £10,000 to do this.” He would like to lay poppies on the planter at times of remembrance.

He also wants the planter to be inscribed with writing, but is asking the public for any ideas of what could be said on the installation.

There are several theories as to the origin of the shell. One includes that Shell Corner was bombed in the First World War and a bomb was found.

But fellow ward councillor Hilary Bills said that a shell was place in the town with a hole cut in the top, and people would place coins inside it which would go to ex-serviceman.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/returnoftheshell