Luke Perry and Industrial Heritage worked with Walsall Council's Creative Development Team and a steering group of community volunteers to create the stunning public art works in Walsall Wood during most of 2008.

 Walsall Wood's history is industrial. It was the site for one of the largest coal mining operations in the midlands during its long working life. The mine, Walsall Wood No 1 Pit, closed comparatively recently, only in the 1960's. Many residents of Walsall Wood worked in the pit or have relatives who worked there.

The memories of the mine are real and tangible, are part of people's family histories and go back over 100 years. Our work in the Creative Development Team is about talking to people, finding out the real issues for them and working creatively to make their voices heard.

 Luke has the ability to reach people and it is a real skill. People like to work with Luke. People open up to Luke and tell him things and Luke remembers what they have said. He can translate these conversations into pieces of art. That, too, is a real skill. He is honest, hardworking, faithful, creative and very intelligent.

His community art work was expertly done and he talked directly to literally hundreds of people at workshops, in schools and at people's homes. He practically lived in Walsall Wood during the research process. He really was the people's artist.

The works Luke created for Walsall Wood are perfect for the sites they are on and in every way compliment the town of Walsall Wood. The works mark Walsall Wood as a place, acting as beacons for the town, giving it a real sense of place.

To show just how much the sculptures are loved by people who live in the area, over 600 people attend the opening ceremony. From the day they were installed to this, the works have not been touched; they have not been covered in graffiti and they have not been damaged. There has not been one word of criticism about them in the press or through Council channels.

Now the weathering patina is working into the steel, the sculptures have taken on a permanence that compliments the proud spirit of Walsall Wood people. Luke has done much more than create some sculptures for a little midland town on the edge of the Black Country that used to be a mining town. He has created a new heart for the area and a heart that will endure for many years to come.

 I was very pleased to work with Luke. He was an inspired appointment and I hope to work with him again, soon.

Glen BuglassManager Creative Development Team Walsall Council