Weather fails to dampen spirits as Doncaster’s public square opens on jubilee weekend
Hannah Bellis. eight, of Woodfield Plantation stands infront of the sculpture at the opening of Sir Nigel Gresley Square. Picture: Andrew Roe
The opening of Doncaster’s new public square made a splash of a different kind as brollies and raincoats were out in force.
However, the downpours failed to dampen spirits as young and old came to witness the official unveiling of the centre piece of Waterdale’s new Civic and Cultural Quarter.
The Big Launch event, Doncaster’s contribution to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, saw the square awash with colourful canopies and red, white and blue bunting - but with relentless grey clouds overhead.
Mayor Peter Davies cut the ribbon to mark the opening of Sir Nigel Gresley Square - named by Free Press readers in a public vote - to a backdrop of live music, fire eating, theatre and much more.
He described the unveiling of the new space - named after the famous railway engineer who created the likes of legendary locos such as Mallard and the Flying Scotsman as “an important day for Doncaster” which he hoped would “breathe new life” into the Waterdale area.
Artist Michael Johnson, who created the centrepiece sculpture of the new square, a towering eight metre high piece entitled Danum, was also there along with a host of other civic officials.
The £60,000 steel and bronze work represents the town’s history through more than 1,000 different images.
Visitor Margaret Dunstan of Hyde Park said: “I think it will be lovely down here when the sun’s shining - a really nice place to come and sit.”
Town centre manager Roy Dean, whose team worked through the wet weather from 8am for the 1pm opening, shrugged off the showers and said: “The response has been incredible despite the weather. We’re really pleased with the turn out.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Thorne
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 30 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
