Newport’s fish artwork marks King Charles III’s Coronation

A fish sculpture to mark the year of King Charles III’s Coronation will be installed in a market town in Shropshire.

The artwork, which depicts three fish, was set to serve as a “cultural landmark” referencing Newport’s history, those behind the idea said.

It came after proposals were approved by planners at Telford and Wrekin Council.

The fish will appear to float above an existing raised flowerbed at the junction of the High Street and St Mary’s Street.

A local artist was commissioned by Newport Town Council to create the piece to mark the coronation last year.

A heritage statement accompanying the planning application said the town had an “important inland fishing industry” hence the “three fishes in the town’s insignia”.

It added Newport was designed around an elongated S-shaped street design, widening in the centre to provide an island site for the church of St Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors.

“The fish sculptures serve as a cultural landmark, representing the enduring ties between Newport’s inhabitants and the natural resources that sustained the town, reflecting the town’s heritage,” the application adds.

The sculptures are made from stainless steel and covered in fish scales, cut from recycled aluminium drinks cans.

A community arts project saw the public help with the creation by making the fish tails during a series of free workshops.

The sculptures within the artwork were positioned at different heights – one at 0.5m (1.6ft) , one at 0.75m (2.46ft) and one at 1.15m (3.7ft).

A Telford & Wrekin Council planning officer concluded that the development would “respect and respond positively to its context and the surrounding area” while not having a detrimental impact on neighbouring properties.