Flashback to 2001: Crowds gathering at civic square opening
A £2 million civic square was officially opened at a ceremony watched by hundreds of people who crowded in to see the switching on of the centrepiece fountain.
Artist Tom Lomax’s 12ft water feature, called the Source of Ingenuity, was turned on by Walsall’s mayor Councillor Colin Beilby as hundreds of coloured balloons were released in the town centre.
The official opening, on July 20 2001, also kicked off a two-day Victorian-style fair in the town centre, which included a helter-skelter, street performers, rides and face painting
Mr Lomax, addressing the crowd, said: “What’s been interesting for me is being able to do this commission working with the community.
“In the future I hope you come to enjoy the Source. But it may take a while to get used to it. It’s not like television as it’s not over in half an hour. You’ve got to keep coming back to learn more about it.”
Mr Lomax spent four years working on the meticulously-researched project, which commemorated Walsall’s industrial heritage.
The civic square incorporated a further three of his works, the saddle sculpture, the market gateway and the 30ft monument, called a nombelisk, which lists every surname of families who have lived in Walsall since the 13th century.
Speaking the square’s official opening Walsall Council chief executive Hardial Bhogal said: “Today is very special and we’ve waited for it for a long time. I’m very pleased to see people here in such great numbers to mark this terrific occasion.”
The project, which was part of the borough’s new Millennium celebrations, wasn’t without its difficulties though and had fallen foul to a series of problems over the past 12 months.
In October 2000, batches of stone ordered to build steps and podiums were found to be of a poor quality and there were further problems at the start of the year when construction work on the obelisk, dubbed the nombelisk, and water feature, called The Source of Ingenuity, was delayed.
Walsall Council had also been embroiled in an ongoing battle against local skateboarders and in-line skaters who are blamed for damaging stone work and delaying the project even further.
But speaking ahead of the opening, council’s principal engineer Neville Owen told the Express & Star he was delighted to see that the project was nearing completion.
He said: “I have worked with this project for a long time and I am looking forward to seeing what it will all look like when it is finally completed.
“While construction work began last March, the original concept of redesigning the Civic Square was put forward in 1995 and the next couple of years were spent securing sources of funding.”
“The nombelisk has already been put in place and the water feature should be put down on June 24. We will then undertake remedial works such as completing the paving and introducing railings to deter skateboarders.”
Walsall Town Centre manager Martin Parnham was also delighted with the news and has organised a special summer celebration to mark the event.
Mr Parnham said: “It may have taken a long time but this marks a great opportunity for the town. It will undoubtedly bring shoppers and visitors into Walsall and provide a focal point to the town centre.” Mr Parnham had also organised a summer Fair for July 20 and 21 to mark the re-opening of the Bridge and the unveiling of the civic square.
Councillor Colin Beilby made the official turning-on of the water feature and other attractions include a helter-skelter, street performers, rides and face painting.
Council leader Councillor Mike Bird appealed to residents to look after the square and help make it a major attraction for people across the West Midlands.
He said: “We are trying to bring major improvements to Walsall but it is up to residents to look after the square and make it a clean and pleasant place for all.
“We have had many problems concerning skateboarders, litter and chewing gum and this kind of behaviour is simply not acceptable.
“These people are causing criminal damage and I am calling on the council to introduce tough measures to stop this kind of behaviour and prosecute the people who show utter contempt for our community.”
Unfortunately, the fountain did become a target for yobs, causing thousands of pounds to be spent on repairs in the years that followed. Vandals armed with tools punched out decorative lights around it in a spate of attacks just months after it was completed.
In 2005, it was defaced when the eyes were painted pink and it was eventually switched off later that same year because of fears of water contamination.
