Ankerside Shopping Centre is proud to announce that they have been awarded a grant as part of Tamworth Council’s Levelling Up Fund. Part of a nationwide scheme to promote economic development, Ankerside received a grant to carry out works to the ornate stained-glass window located on the upper level in Castle Square which overlooks the Castle and its grounds.
The window is of modern historical interest and was created in the 1980’s especially for her late Majesty the Queen, to mark her visit to the centre on its grand opening. The design artistically embodies the town’s rich Saxon heritage in this one-of-a-kind piece.
Centre Manager Mark Burbridge said; “We are so excited to have been awarded the grant and to be able to highlight the unique glass window and its historical significance for all visitors to Ankerside and the town centre.”
Designed and made by the London firm Goddard and Gibbs Studios, [1855 to 2008]. The window depicts Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians (c. 870 – 12 June 918) who was the eldest daughter of Alfred the Great, king of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom. Æthelflæd ruled Mercia in the English Midlands from 911 until her death in 918.
In the artwork she is shown repelling the Danish invaders with her left hand and protecting the town of Tamworth with her other, with key architectural icons such as the Castle, St. Editha’s Church, the Town Hall, the Robert Peel statue and Ankerside itself integrated into the design. The town’s two rivers, the Tame and the Anker, weave their way throughout the image and are shown merging together at Ladybridge and flowing through the Tamworth coat of arms.
The levelling up project will comprise of the installation of lighting-controlled uplighters to illuminate the stained-glass window both internally and externally, accentuating the myriad of colour shades within the glass feature. The project will enable the artwork to be viewed of an evening due to the additional lighting which was not previously possible. To further support the work, Ankerside plan for the installation of an internal display screen/lectern to provide visitors with information on the unique design feature.
Mark continued; “Tamworth has a rich cultural heritage, and it is great that the government is investing in local business’ such as ourselves to develop the town centre and make improvements that positively impact the community.”
Ankerside hope the project will boost engagement and peak curiosity in guests, becoming a part of the current informal town history trail. The works are scheduled to take place in the Autumn, with a grand unveiling planned later in the year.
