Salt stacks in Winsford Town Park turn blue to thank NHS heroes

The eight sculptures which celebrate the town's salt heritage can be illuminated in different colours and will turn blue to thank NHS heroes for their courageous work during the coronavirus pandemic.

The salt stacks will turn blue to thank NHS heroes

Cllr Lyndsay Barwell, chairman of the new open spaces committee, said: "It is important to me to recognise and appreciate the work done by NHS staff. I am grateful and proud we have a healthcare system where we all have a right to care."

The salt stacks can be lit up in colour at night

Cllr Dorothy Jump, committee vice chairman, added: "The blue lights will remind me of the valuable work done by unpaid carers. Carers of all ages are too often forgotten and need support."

Each of the stacks has now been fitted with a stainless steel cover to deter mindless acts of vandalism.

The concrete plinths, which had started to fracture, have also been repaired.

The tower-like structures reflect the chimneys of the salt works which used to dominate the mining town of Winsford a century ago.

The tower-like structures reflect the chimneys of the salt works which used to dominate the mining town of Winsford

Artist Liam Hopkins created the eight salt sculptures, called Seven Sisters, to highlight how salt production is part of the town's past and present.

The structure is based on the lattice network of salt - when magnified, sodium and chloride, the two elements of salt, display a lattice network or octahedrons.

The inverted pyramid wire forms are based on the structure of salt crystal.

The sculptures are white like salt but the colour can be changed at night when they are lit.

The structure is based on the lattice network of salt when it is magnified

In March, Friends of Winsford Town Park were invited by the Town Council to compile a list of colours to represent different occasions.

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John Malam, the group's chairman, said: "We consulted with the community and suggested blue as soon as possible to recognise the work of the NHS. red for Remembrance and purple for pancreatic cancer month.

John Malam, chairman of Friends of Winsford Park, who were asked to suggest colours to represent different occasions

"We thought it would be a good idea to reflect the changing seasons of the year with colours.

"We suggested red for Remembrance Day and purple for pancreatic cancer month."

Town Council clerk Mark Bailey said: "The Town Council is delighted that the lights are working again. They provide a fantastic focus for the park, especially at night.

"We would like to thank our colleagues at Northwich Town Council for all their help with this matter."