Todmorden News

Fustian Knife Unveiled

The much anticipated sculpture of a fustian knife was finally unveiled today in a ceremony attended by the Mayor of Calderdale, the Mayor of Hebden Royd, Cllr. Susan Press, Cllr. Conrad Winterburn and, and dozens of excited members of the public.

Like many pieces of public art, the sculpture has been the subject of controversy and divided opinion in the town, with some locals viewing the fustian knife as a violent, phallic symbol which represented cutting and stabbing, rather than as a tool of the trade upon which Hebden Bridge was established. Fustian knives were used in the process of manufacturing corduroy, a fabric for which Hebden Bridge was world renowned. Pecket Well mill was the last to manufacture corduroy fustian cloth in Britain.

Developed jointly by the Traffic Review Steering Group, Council Officers and local artist, Mike Williams, the sculpture completes the landscaping work carried out on George Square and the surrounding area, and forms the gnomon or shadow caster for the new sundial centerpiece of the square.