Oswestry Knife Angel sculpture up for national award
A campaign designed to cut knife crime has been nominated for an international peace award.
The British Ironwork Centre’s ‘Save a Life, Surrender Your Knife’ project has been nominated for a Rotary International award.
The knife amnesty campaigned launched by the Oswestry business has been put forward for the Rotary International Peace Award, which recognises peace initiatives both in the UK and internationally.
Artist Alfie Bradley disinfected and blunted thousands of knifes from all 43 police forces in the UK to create the Knife Angel sculpture. The project’s aim was to address the knife crime epidemic in the UK by manufacturing and distributing 200 knife banks across the country, something that many police forces had been unable to afford themselves. to allow them to carry out successful amnesties.
Families who had lost loved ones due to knife crime and violence were invited to engrave an everlasting message on a blade which were included on the monument.
Clive Knowles, chairman of the British Ironwork Centre, said: “We are extremely proud to have been nominated for this award for our Save a Life, Surrender Your Knife project.”
“We work closely with those who have been affected by knife crime and have launched a petition to ensure that the monument fulfills its destiny by being placed on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. We hope it should have the loudest voice there and know it will be a huge focal point in raising awareness of this scourge on our streets.
“Only with the public’s help can the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression and its message reach those it was intended for.”
The winner will be announced at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod – the winner of the inaugural prize last year - on Monday at its 70th Anniversary Opening Concert.
