Castleford Heritage Trust were able to commission the wall sculpture in Fryston village by artist Harry Malkin as part of our involvement in the scheme to reclaim the former Wheldale and Fryston pit sites. The reclamation was originally funded by central government through English Partnerships as part of the national scheme to regenerate former coalfields.

CHT was commissioned to be part of the reclamation scheme in order to facilitate community involvement. We were funded to employ a community ranger and to co-ordinate events and consultations with the local community. When the improvement plans for Fryston village were discussed there was a request from residents that the proposed supporting wall below the railway bridge should be decorated. This wall was originally proposed to be a large blank concrete wall in front of the houses on South View and local people desired their view to be improved in some way.

Following his successful wall sculpture at Ford Square in Castleford town centre, Harry was asked to do a design for Fryston. He was also chosen because he was formally a miner at Fryston pit and knows the village and villagers well. Residents and CHT members are delighted with the chosen theme ‘Fryston Above and Below Ground’. Harry’s work has been much admired by the wider community and people in Castleford town centre as they have been able to watch him carve and construct the sculpture in a shop in Carlton Lanes Shopping Centre.

Harry said ‘it was hard work to put in the 20 x 8 feet wooden wall that was to support the three tonnes of clay used in the walls but it was a great pleasure to be able to use the shop unit in Carlton Lanes to carve them. Once the walls were under way I would open the door regularly to talk to the great number of passing people who were stopping to see what was going on. Some were regulars from the village who would come time and again to see the progress but many of them had never heard of Fryston and had travelled many miles to shop in Castleford.’

We are looking forward to the official unveiling ceremony on 4th September at 12 noon, all are welcome to join us at the event and afterwards at a barbeque on the village green. We would especially like to see ex-villagers and ex-miners from Fryston and Wheldale pits.

Terry Matterson is quoted as saying

“Twelve weeks ago nobody would have thought we would have been in this position – to come here and push them all the way with what was riding on the game for them was a great credit to our guys. But we have just come up a little bit short.

“I am proud of our guys and this will stand us in good stead for next year.”