A SIX-FOOT sculpture created by one of the country’s leading wood carvers will be unveiled at a community event in support of an aspirational £5.2million clocktower revamp.

Rossett-based artist Simon O’Rourke installed the equine-inspired piece in time for the September 17 fun day at the Grade II-listed John Summers site in Deeside.

Made from cedar, the image references the logo of Queensferry-based Enbarr Foundation – which is behind the epic redevelopment – portraying a horse leaping from waves through a crown and paying tribute to the Queen in celebration of the recent Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Designed in partnership with pupils from Veneral Edward Morgan (VEM) RC Primary School in Shotton, he spent four days producing the finished article and is delighted with the results.

“I loved the challenge because horses are so tricky to carve, it came out really well and the imagination showed by the children was fantastic,” said Simon, who has won a variety of global awards for his work over the last 20 years.

“It was also lovely to be able to do something for the community and contribute to the legacy here at the clocktower.

“You can see the gardens and building are taking shape and this concept will be a part of that so I’m very proud.”

Earlier this year, Vicki Roskams and the ‘Guardians’ who spend countless hours bringing the site back to life appealed for schools, artists, horticulturalists, and anyone with imaginative ideas to brighten up the area.

“The feedback was incredible, and this was sculpture was one of the most popular designs, so we are absolutely thrilled to have it in place,” she said.

“It encapsulates the spirit of what we are doing here – this place is for the community, and we rise by lifting others – so it’s another step on the journey.

“Simon has done an incredible job and we can’t thank him enough – it looks amazing.”

The fun day itself is supported by local businesses including Wilson’s Auctions, who kindly donated a Hyundai Iconic car for a raffle to raise money towards renovations at the dilapidated former Tata Steel headquarters.

There will also be live entertainment, birds of prey, activities and attractions and the Armed Forces will be in attendance.

To support the Clock Tower development and to attend the free open day, email vicki@enbarrenterprises.com or visit www.savetheclocktower.co.uk or the Guardians of the Clock Tower Facebook page.

Free entry if you advance book or you can pay on the day: https://www.skiddle.com/e/36156991

Visit www.treecarving.co.uk for the latest news and information from Simon O’Rourke.

TIME will not stand still for the hard-working team behind a £5.2m clock tower redevelopment.

Ahead of another spectacular community fun day, to be held on Saturday September 17, Enbarr Foundation director Vicki Roskams and the ‘Guardians’ of the Grade II-listed John Summers Clock Tower in Deeside revealed big plans for the rest of the year.

In addition to a new partnership with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and Innovation UK and burgeoning links with Coleg Cambria, they are welcoming businesses from across the region to support vital work on the basement of the former Tata Steel HQ.

As well as trades to support with essential roof repairs, Vicki is also calling for painters and decorators to get in touch and help take the project to the next level.

“Whilst we appreciate there may be a cost involved for their skills, Travis Perkins has kindly donated all of the materials and equipment to help us to keep the cost down,” she said.

“Clwyd Alyn has kindly volunteered some time and made great headway with mist-coating of the new plaster, but we now need people to help us complete the work before the electrical team begin installations that will bring this iconic site back to life.

“We also have the team at Openreach helping to get us online so we can support the community with digital skills and provide free access to computers and guidance for those on low income or in need of support, which will be provided by Digital Communities Wales.”

Vicki added: “As well as local companies and third sector organisations giving their time and materials, we’ve also had learners from Cambria get involved with refurbishment of windows and doors and have a new two-year relationship with LJMU, focused on social value and innovation.

“We’re very excited about that and will be drawing up a blueprint using the Clock Tower as a beacon of best practice others can use to transform their communities.”

The fun day will feature activities with the Armed Forces and incredible garden displays designed by members of the public after the ‘Guardians’ appealed for schools, artists, horticulturalists, and anyone with imaginative concepts to brighten up the area, having received funding to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

“The response we had was incredible, with so many brilliant submissions for our legacy campaign,” said Vicki.

“Among them are a magnificent wooden sculpture by renowned craftsman Simon O’Rourke, and a dragon centrepiece created by chainsaw artist Rob Dalton, and other Welsh and British-themed botanical and floral presentations which will look amazing.”

She added: “Ultimately, our focus in the coming months is laying the foundations for real progress in 2023, with more organisations coming on board to help get this epic project over the line.

“It’s a labour of love for us all and has brought so many people together with one common goal, to bring the site back to its former glory.

“And just as importantly, we are uniting education with business, training and skills, giving hope to future generations – thank you to everyone who has been with us on this journey.”

To support the Clock Tower development, email vicki@enbarrenterprises.com or visit the Guardians of the Clock Tower Facebook page.

CONSERVATION campaigners are aiming to ‘Raise the Roof’ and carry out emergency work on a North Wales landmark.

A series of storms over past weeks accelerated the need for crucial replacement and repairs to the roof of the Grade II-listed John Summers Clock Tower in Deeside.

Enbarr Foundation director Vicki Roskams and fellow ‘Guardians’ have set up a CrowdFunding page in a bid to reach their target of £350,000 and are appealing for builders’ merchants, roofing firms and industrial suppliers to help with materials and labour, including felt and wooden beams and batons.

More than £600,000 in grants and financial support for the £5.2m site revamp has been secured over the last 18 months from organisations including Welsh Government, Transport for Wales, the National Lottery, the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), Comic Relief, Architectural Heritage, CADW, Parc Adfer and Flintshire County Council.

But Vicki says this capital is largely earmarked for other areas of the project

“The grants we have received in past months are for the basement and building itself, not the roof,” said Vicki.

“We have patched it up as much as possible following years of vandalism and decay but the storms and bad weather throughout Winter have had a major impact and mean we need a permanent solution, and quickly.

“There is no way the roof will make it through another year in its current state, there is significant work to be done and we need experts in to do it, so we are appealing to local businesses and suppliers to get in touch.”

She added: “As more funding comes in there will be opportunities to work together in the future, and anyone who comes to our aid will be able to use the facilities and services for free on completion, but for now we are relying on kindness and generosity.”

With the support of new directors including former Tata Steel apprentice and now Ethikos Group CEO Scott Davis, and Charlotte Summers – great-great-great granddaughter of the Victorian steel magnate John Summers – she is confident they will find a solution and is calling on the community and volunteers to get behind them like never before.

“We have received incredible support since day one, and made huge progress over the last few years,” said Vicki.

“But ultimately, if the roof is in a bad state of disrepair and letting in rain it affects the whole building and will become a safety concern going forward.

“Construction is now underway on-site, but this is our priority; this is the centre-point of this area, bringing people together and providing a beacon of hope for so many who have experienced so many challenges in recent times, including the pandemic.

“This is a critical stage for the development so please get in touch if you can pledge your assistance – we hugely appreciate any help you can give us.”

The John Summer Clock Tower building opened in 1907 and was home to the general office of Shotton Steelworks – now Tata Steel – on the banks of the River Dee, before closing in 2009 and falling into serious disrepair after being sold by the company.

Plans for the site include a community hub, heritage skills and training centre, café, library, woodland garden, live events venue and much more.

The committee is currently recruiting for a project officer and a project manager, and celebrating new partnerships with organisations including Procure Plus, Coleg Cambria, Toyota and Forces Fitness.

Visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/savetheclocktower—raise-the-roof to show your support for the Raise the Roof appeal.

To support the campaign with materials or labour, and for more information, follow Guardians of the Clocktower on Facebook or visit the website: www.savetheclocktower.co.uk.