The scheme is run by SUSTRANS, a charity that promotes cycling and walking routes throughout the UK as a method of sustainable transport.
"Sustrans' Portrait Bench series is a national social history project that celebrates the uniqueness of each location. Communities across the UK nominated local people for the contribution they have made to local life, culture or history to become the figures on their local Portrait Bench to be part of a collection of over 250 portraits.
What's a Portrait Bench?
The Portrait Bench is a simple bench accompanied by the three life-size characters chosen by the community. The figures are two dimensional siloquettes, cut from CorTen steel (like the famous Angel of the North) so they will weather to a fine rust surface and become a natural part of the landscape.
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This particular bench is situated on the tow path of the Rochdale Canal which is used by both cyclists and pedestrians.
This
web page has much more detailed information...
"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 Rochdale portraits
Bike It schools in Rochdale borough were invited to
choose from 11 notable local people, and also
given a “wild card” entry for their own choice.
Entrants had to say why their choice deserved to be
immortalised in steel. Gracie Fields received by far
the most votes, and wild card entries led to Lynne
Coxell (Head teacher, St Edwards school) and
Harriet Ellis (World Champion windsurfer) being
chosen as the two other figures.
Visible to passing trains, the bench is located
between Castleton and Middleton along the
Rochdale canal."
The three people that make up the sculpture are..
"
Dame Gracie Fields O.B.E.
1898 - 1979
Gracie Fields was born over her Grandmother's chip shop on Molesworth Street, Rochdale on 9th January 1898. Gracie was to sing and clown her way to international stardom, eventually becoming the highest paid movie star in the world in the 1930s. Gracie began her career by coming joint first in a talent contest at the Rochdale Hippodrome. Her prize money was 10/6d (about 52p) which was at the time almost half the weekly wage of a mill worker.
By 1934 she had sold over 4 million records and had become the film career that was to take her to Hollywood and make her into an international superstar.
Lynne Coxell
When Lynne Coxell became head teacher at St. Edward's CE Primary School in 2005 she fully embraced the Eco school work the school had started. She motivated students to attend school by embedding sustainability into the ethos of the school. Lynne has also developed an urban farm which includes rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, pigs, hens and donkeys.
Pupils at St. Edwards love coming to school - attendance, attainment and behaviour have all improved. Many children cycle to school, and over 80 bikes can be parked at the school. In 2010 the school was one of the first in the country to receive the Eco School Ambassador Award. Lynne has inspired other schools throughout the country to adopt a similar approach to learning.
Harriet Ellis
Harriet Ellis was born in Rochdale in November 1992. At the age of 9 she started windsurfing at at Hollingworth Lake Activity Centre. Harriet first became involved in competitive windsurfing when she represented Hollingwoth Hunters in the Royal Yachting Association's regional team 15 event. In 2011, at age 18 she changed from sailing in the Olympic classes to sailing in the International Raceboard fleet. In September of the same year she competed in the World Championships in Spain where she entered in both Youth and Senior classes. After a week of gruelling competition Harriet became both Youth Women's World Champion and Women's World Champion. She now spends some time passing on her experience to younger sailors at Hollingworth Lake."