British Ironwork Centre reveals latest concept to turn recovered weapons into something useful
A Shropshire visitor centre famed for its spectacular sculptures is working on its latest project.
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The British Ironwork Centre, on the outskirts of Oswestry, has come up with a concept following a request from the Home Office and the Met Police in London.
The centre made its name across the country with the Knife Angel sculpture, which was created out of knives collected by police forces across the country.
Clive Knowles, chairman of the centre, said they had been approached by the Home Office and the Met Police to come up with a fresh concept for converting recovered weapons, which have been confiscated or surrendered, into something useful.
Mr Knowles said that the ambition was to create something inspiring or desirable, aimed at youth or community groups.
He said: "We provided a number of conceptual drawing ideas - these ideas ranged from smelting blades into 'awards' to inspire youths to reject violence, to us then using the raw blades to make gym equipment such as pull-up bars, and even pavement discs that would offer a walking trail around central London.
"All the concepts were fettled down to one overwhelming preferred idea.
"This was for us to melt down the blades to become dumbbells or lifting weights.
"We have now created the first set of prototypes to present to the Home Office."
Mr Knowles said they would be presented in the coming weeks.
He said: "We have attempted to ensure the weights stand out head and shoulders against any other weights being used in gyms across London.
"We are very proud to announce that the final completed 5kg samples are now ready for a presentation meeting - that will hopefully be held in central London within the next few weeks."
