THE history, transformation and regeneration of Longbridge has been celebrated.

A number of artists have created a series of contemporary public artwork inspired by both the heritage and the current transformation of the area.

Last Friday saw the unveiling of a heritage map designed by local resident and ex-MG Rover employee, John Baker.

The map, made from layers of stainless steel, contains etchings that depict the site circa 1985.

Mr Baker said: “As an Austin apprentice from 1958, Longbridge was my home for nearly 40 years. It was a very sad day for the community when the factory closed.

"I was passionate about reminding people how well the Austin served us both in war and peace time.”

The map visually and physically commemorates Longbridge’s heritage in the British car manufacturing industry and the rich layered social history that saw generations of Bromsgrove families working at the factory.

The map, 1.6m by 3.5m in size, has been installed in Longbridge town centre on the side of the multi story car park adjacent to M&S.

It forms part of a wider programme known as the Longbridge Public Art Project (LPAP) by art organisation WERK.

Since 2012, over 60 artists from Birmingham and the rest of the UK, Europe and the USA have been invited to Longbridge to create a series of temporary and permanent contemporary public artworks.

As part of the project, hundreds of activities have taken place including pop up-exhibitions, educational workshops, alternative history walks, food markets and two light festivals.

Claire Farrell, director and project curator of WERK, said: “Working collectively with artists, residents and former factory workers enabled us to produce a project that was about the history, transformation and recreation of Longbridge.

"Perhaps most importantly, it was also a project created for Longbridge."

She added: “It was refreshing to work with St. Modwen because of the developer’s openness to embrace a process that placed value on the role of an artist facilitating research and engagement without prescribed outcomes.”

Chris Newsome, from St. Modwen, said: “As Longbridge enters an innovative new era, it’s important that we commit to projects that see the history of this town recognised and continue to build on its legacy through the current regeneration.”

Earlier this month a ‘lightbox’ was installed as part of a new walkway between Austin Park and the Beefeater restaurant in Longbridge.

The artwork consists of a series of consecutive illuminated letters set into the floor, which read ‘We resemble our times more than we resemble our parents’.

To discover more about the art installations in Longbridge, go to werk.org.uk.