About the Portrait Benches
"The Portrait Bench is a new and unique National
collection of local portraits. The figures are
inspired and chosen for their individual
contribution to the life of the community.
Creating portraits is an old custom honouring
individuals for their philanthropy, political prowess
or acts of heroism, and most commonly for the love
of family members. All major public spaces are
graced by statues or portraits of eminent
individuals and family photos are treasured across
the world.
Each Portrait Bench is a collection of three
distinctive, lifesize local figures cut from sheet
steel and installed by a simple bench, inviting you
to sit or step up into the space and become a part
of the portrait group.
The features of each character have been simplified
while retaining their essential characteristics. The
characters reflect those things that are important to
the community; each is inspired by the local
heritage, culture and aspirations of the area; some
we’ll know and some we won’t…together they will
represent around 230 characters chosen by
thousands of people from across the UK
Choosing the Sale portraits
In March 2010, the Bridgewater Way Steering
Group asked the public to nominate their Trafford
heroes to be immortalised in the portrait bench
which is to be included in the Sale to Stretford
section of the Bridgewater Way.
The 2 mile stretch between Sale and Stretford is
part of 12 miles of work in Trafford which will
extend north of Stretford towards The Trafford
Centre. This stretch is part of the Bridgewater
Way, which is a unique 65 km scheme that will
regenerate the canal towpath and create a route
for cyclists, walkers, everyone.
New walking and cycling networks
Sustrans is bringing the award winning National
Cycle Network deep into the heart of communities
across the UK to enable many more people to get
about on foot and by bike. Find out more about
walking and cycling routes in Sale and how to find
this portrait bench at
link
Sustrans is the charity that’s enabling people
to travel by foot, bike or public transport for
more of the journeys we make every day.
It’s time we all began making smarter travel
choices. Make your move and support
Sustrans today.
link
Dr Charles White (1728 1813)
Local Doctor and cofounder of the Manchester
Royal Infirmary. Dr Charles White was born in
1728, the only son of Thomas White, a surgeon
and midwife, and his wife Rosamond. Dr White
started as an apprentice in his father’s practice
before studying medicine in London and then
completing his studies in Edinburgh. Dr Charles
White then returned to his father’s practice as a
surgeon and midwife. Their practice is located on
the south west corner of Sale Priory and both
Thomas White and Dr Charles White gave the
popular name to Whites Bridge over the
Bridgewater Canal.
Darren Campbell MBE
Born and raised on the Sale Racecourse Estate of
Manchester, Darren Campbell is one of Britain’s
most successful male sprinters. He excelled at
junior level winning four Gold and two Silver
medals at International Championships 19911992.
Darren’s first Olympic success was in the 2000
Olympics in Sydney where he won Silver in the
200m. Four years later in the 2004 Olympics in
Athens, Darren won Gold as part of the 4x100m
relay team. Darren was awarded an MBE in 2005
for his services to the sport and announced his
retirement shortly after the 2006 European
Championships. Darren remains an ambassador of
the sport through a number of roles, including his
involvement in Street Athletics and the Youth Sport
Trust.
William 'Bill' Bleasdale
A founder member of the Watch House Cruising
Club (whose base is on the Connect2 stretch of
the Bridgewater Canal), and a tireless supporter of
the canal over many years. He was based in Egypt
in the army where he became a captain of the
veterinary core who looked after the horses and
later became a stable boy and jockey in his early
life. He sadly lost his fight for life in 2008 and is still
missed by the local community today."
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