New archway celebrates town's historic charter

The design features flowers and fauna typically found in north Staffordshire

A decorative archway to celebrate Newcastle-under-Lyme's 850th anniversary has been installed in the town.

The intricate galvanised steel arch at Queens Gardens marks the day the borough was granted the Royal Charter.

Engineering apprentices from local farm equipment manufacturer IAE designed it with a crown at the top to commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Designed under the guidance of sculptor Andy Edwards, the new entrance is a tribute to a similar arch which stood at Queens Gardens in the 1960s.

The crown itself is a twice size representation of the St Edward Crown traditionally used in coronation ceremonies.

Newcastle-under-Lyme was first granted its royal charter by King Henry II in 1173 after the population started to grow close to the castle.

"It's great to be able to give something back to the local community," said Chris Morris, learning and development manager at IAE.

"It's something the apprentices will remember for the rest of their lives too and we're immensely proud of what they've achieved."

"The final result is excellent and a credit to apprentices at IAE," said Craig Skelding, the council's cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage.

Queens Gardens was heavily involved with Britain in Bloom, the UK's largest gardening competition, and played a major role in the town's recent overall prize win.

Mr Skelding added they wanted to commemorate the community's success "by incorporating local flowers into the design".

Newcastle-under-Lyme was crowned 'best of the best' as winner of Britain in Bloom 2023

Commissioned by the council, the arch is the latest in a series of public works celebrating the borough's 850th anniversary.

The council has also commissioned the retiling of a nearby subway and is seeking to erect a statue of Queen Elizabeth II in Queens Gardens.