After careful planning and fundraising a new golden cockerel weather vane proudly sits 100ft above Cradley, watching over the community.

Created by local sculptor, Luke Perry, the design is a replica of the old weathervane that was on top of the tower from 1875 until it was removed in the mid-20th century.

The project follows on the success of the salvage and restoration of the clock dial from the now demolished church of St Luke in nearby Cradley Heath which was installed on the tower of St Peter’s, Cradley in April 2021 after a £16,000 project. 

The creation of the weather vane has cost £6,052 which was generously part funded by the Ironmongers Company in London who fund community heritage projects made from iron and steel. They gave a grant of £5,000, a local family gave £200 and the remaining £852 has been raised by the popular bi-monthly free concerts at St Peter’s.

Parts of the weather vane, which was installed on Monday 25th July, are gilded in gold thanks to work by Bridgnorth based artist, Sean Counley who skilfully applied the thin pieces of gold to the cockerel, compass points and arrow. The arrow features an anvil as a reminder of Cradley’s former industry of backyard chain-making workshops.

The final part of the tower project will see sensitive floodlighting installed around the tower to illuminate it for a few hours at night. It is hoped that once sufficient funding is in place, this will be completed in the autumn.

More information about the project, as well as ways you can donate to help, can be found at stpeterscradley.org.