Work started on 2nd May to install the Portrait Bench along the Sustrans Ridgeway Cycle Route which runs from Burringham Road to Foxhills in the town.
Workmen began digging a trench for the foundations yesterday of which the steel character portraits were fixed into using concrete today. The portraits are of three local ‘Heroes’ voted for by the public who were asked to nominated people they though worthy of being immortalises.
Those chosen were,
Jack Tighe (holding cycle) a successful businessman, was an early member of Scunthorpe Polytechnic Cycling club who became a National Champion and an International competitor during his triumphant racing career. Jack has been a devoted supporter of the club for a period delivered by the Club to be unmatched by any other sponsor in the sport of cycling. His active engagement in the sport continued as a leisure cyclist, both at home and abroad, until he was finally persuaded to ‘hang up his wheels’ at age 74!
Liz Smith (centre) was born Betty Gleadle in the Crosby area of Scunthorpe in 1921. Before retiring from acting she was made an MBE for services to drama and was best loved for her role as Norma (nana) in the Royle Family. Some of her other roles included Letitia Cropley in The Vicar of Dibley, Grandma Georgina in the 2005 film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She also appeared in long running TV shows such as Last of the Summer Wine, The Sweeney and The Gentle Touch.
Albert “Lal” White (with large cup) was many times English grass track cycle racing champion and more famously a winner of the silver medal at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics. He also rode in the 1924 Paris Olympics. He worked at Lysaghts Steelworks and was given light work and not much of it so he could train for his cycling.
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