'Halo', by designer John Kennedy of LandLab, is an 18m-diameter steel lattice structure supported on a truncated tripod five metres above the ground. From its position on Top o' Slate in the Rossendale Valley it is clearly visible from miles around. ‘Halo’ is lit using the latest LED technology and by night glows a sky-blue colour, giving the effect of hovering above the town. This iconic gateway piece overlooks the A56, welcoming visitors to East Lancashire.
The erection of ‘Halo’ was part of a wider partnership scheme funded by Lancashire County Council’s REMADE programme, managed by Groundwork, Rossendale, to regenerate and develop a 32-hectare area combining Top o’ Slate with the adjacent Duckworth Clough.
The sculpture is also one of a small number of pieces of public art to have been selected for investment by The Northern Way, a collaboration led by the three Northern Development Agencies working with partners including Arts Council England, which is investing £4.4 million in iconic works of art as part of an innovative £10 million cultural programme across the North. The Northern Way has invested £153,000 towards lighting and other strategic costs associated with the delivery of 'Halo'.
Directions
To find 'Halo', join the A56, either from the M65 J8 heading south to Bury/Manchester, or from the M66 heading north, which becomes the A56. After a few miles you will arrive at a large roundabout (the Rising Bridge roundabout). Take the Blackburn Road exit (A680) which leads into Haslingden. After approx 1/2 mile and immediately after some traffic lights, turn left steeply up Hud Rake, which becomes High Street. 400 yards further on, there is a sharp left turn on to Higher Lane. Only residents and those with disabled parking permits have vehicle access beyond this point, so download the walks leaflet, park in the town and walk up Higher Lane towards 'Halo' (approx 10 minutes). The views on the way up as well as from the top are spectacular!
To download the walks leaflet click here.
