Plans have been announced to create a sculpture in Brigg - using re-purposed materials from one of the town's most historic sites.
Fashioned from stone, the craftsman-made sculpture will inform and remind people that education has been provided at the same location since the late 17th century.
It is earmarked for what is now Sir John Nelthorpe Upper School - originally Brigg Grammar School (founded in 1669).
Applications for planning permission and listed building consent have now been submitted to North Lincolnshire Council.
Brigg Town Council is being consulted as part of the process, and both applications were discussed by our local Planning & Environment Committee at its monthly meeting held earlier this week.
They were well received, with Town Mayor Coun Brian Parker and Coun Sharon Riggall (chairing the meeting) speaking in complimentary terms after seeing what's proposed and viewing 3D images of how the sculpture will look.
With no objections from the town authority, North Lincolnshire Council will make the final decision in due course, following the public consultation period which ends on July 19.
The plan is to erect the sculpture within the school grounds near the original building where the first classes were held in 1680/1. This is now Brigg's only grade one listed building.
The sculpture will form a centre-piece on a currently unused and grassed area adjacent to the driveway.
Sir John Nelthorpe School explains: "It is our aim to create a cultural focus for the pupils, staff, visitors and wider community to enjoy."
The sculpture will provide a focal point for the inauguration of new pupils to the school and will be crafted using original stone steps, re-purposing them "into a work of art."
Recent renovation work to install an access ramp saw stones removed but they were retained by the school as historic features which could be re-purposed.
Headteacher Rob Biglands then approached a local stonemason to discuss the potential for using the stones to provide a cultural and historic centre-piece which would provide a focus for the pupils and students and could form part of the ceremony to welcome newcomers to the school each year.
"The sculpture will take the form of a stack of books," the school has informed North Lincolnshire planners, "the top book showing the school crest and the school motto Fortis & Fidelis - meaning strong and faithful."
The school has furnished the council with a detailed Supporting Statement accompanying the planning application for the stone sculpture, which is designed to celebrate the history of education at this location.
PICTURED: The driveway alongside the original part of the school and a 3D impression of the proposed sculpture (credit - SJN/North Lincolnshire Council).
