Steel artwork gets the Hollywood touch

The eye catching steel artwork – part of the Portrait Bench project – are the first of more than 200 to be made by the laser cutting subcontractor that will be placed alongside a series of new pedestrian and cycle routes across the UK.

The Hollywood star's brother, Graham Jenkins, helped by several members of the Burton family, revealed the sculpture made by the Cannock firm at the unveiling of the first Portrait Bench in the Afan Valley, near Port Talbot, in May.

They were joined by Rob Brydon's parents, Joy and Howard, who helped to unveil a sculpture of the Welsh funny man alongside the new route. The wraps were also taken off a third figure of local ranger Dick Wagstaff by members of his family.

The artwork initiative is run by the UK's leading sustainable transport charity Sustrans which is placing the steel effigies alongside 70 newly created routes for pedestrians and cyclists from the Highlands to the south of England.
Graham Jenkins said: “This portrait is fantastic and I am very, very proud that my brother is a part of it. We were born in this valley and it's wonderful that local people have chosen Richard, he would have absolutely loved this.”

Dave Lindsey, managing director of Laser Process, remarked: “It's great to think that our work has got a little of the Hollywood treatment by being unveiled by the family of such a star as Richard Burton as well as the family of Rob Brydon.

“This will see the work of Laser Process gracing some of the greatest scenic spots across the country and will hopefully mean thousands of people stopping to admire and take in a demonstration of our work as they walk and cycle these 70 routes for many years to come.”

Laser Process
www.laserprocess.co.uk