A new piece of public art has been unveiled in Newbridge.
The Hallelujah Lamp is a striking lime green seven metre tall structure resembling a blade of grass.
A community celebration was held recently to mark the unveiling of the lamp as a key milestone in the regeneration of Newbridge town centre.
Children from local schools Pentwynmawr Primary, Newbridge Comprehensive and Ty Newydd Primary attended in historical dress to sing traditional songs with the Salvation Army Silver Band.
They were also joined by members of the local community, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s deputy Mayor Cllr Michael Gray and Cllr Ken James, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and sustainable development.
The creation of the Hallelujah Lamp came from community discussions and is based on a local story of an old gas lamp that used to be located outside Newbridge Hotel. The lamp was a focal gathering point for the community and it is hoped that this will once again create a place for residents to congregate for special community events.
The artist, Stephen Broadbent, was inspired by the natural curve of a fern, symbolic of the growth and advancement of the town. Standing 7m tall the lamp is coloured fresh green to represent new shoots of growth for the town.
Cllr Ken James said: “It has been a great honour to attend the unveiling of this artwork as it is dedicated back to the community. The Hallelujah lamp will provide a focal point for the community, reminding them of their rich history; inspire community spirit and helping them to look to the future.”
Almost £12 million of funding for Newbridge’s regeneration has been secured from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, Welsh Government’s Targeted Match Fund, Heritage Lottery, and Arts Council for Wales together with significant contributions from the Council and community organisations, among others.
The budget set aside for the public artwork elements for the town centre is £125,00.