A sculpture of the famous war poet Wilfred Owen is the latest addition to Tameside Council's museums collection.

It can be seen as part of a display at Portland Basin in Ashton, which marks a century since Owen’s first book of poetry was published.

The work comes in two parts – a bust and a representation of Owen’s army cap containing his Military Cross, service revolver, wallet and other items – all created by award-winning sculptor Anthony Padgett.

Anthony, who lives in Morecambe, has made 10 in total and presented them to places that were significant in Owen’s life such as Ripon Cathedral. Owen stayed in Ripon before leaving for the front for the last time and wrote and revised some of his finest poems in the Yorkshire city.

Other sites include Ors in France, where he was killed, and Craig Lockhart in Scotland, where he was in hospital. Tameside has received one as Owen served in the Manchester Regiment.

The sculpture was created in co-operation with the Wilfred Owen Association and had the approval of the poet’s nephew, Peter Owen, president of the association, who Anthony was able to meet shortly before his death in 2018.

Wilfred Owen is arguably the most famous of the Great War poets. He perished in 1918 only a week before the Armistice was declared. It’s said his parents received the news on November 11 as the church bells were pealing to celebrate the end of the conflict.

The sculpture can be seen on the lower level at Portland Basin Museum, near the mining exhibit.

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