Richard and Judy open Cornish Cross in Saltash
Television personalities Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan were in Saltash today as guests of honour at the formal opening of the Cornish Cross, the new landmark marking the Cornish boundary.
The 20 metre high public art monument beside the River Tamar reflects the Cornish heritage and anticipates a technological future in its design, and is intended to become an iconic landmark for locals and tourists alike as they arrive in or depart from the county.
Funded through National Lottery grants and Cornwall and Saltash councils, it is constructed entirely using lightweight space-age composite materials, including carbon fibre and glass fibre and is treated with copper powder in the resin to give the appearance and performance of copper.
It was erected last month in a nightime operation involving two cranes. It is based on a design by Cornish artist and sculptor Simon Thomas, and was originally intended to mark the Millennium.
Mr Thomas has called it a gateway to Cornwall and spoke of his delight as well as his relief that his design vision had finally been realised.
At the launch, Richard and Judy both spoke of their love for Cornwall and the great honour they felt to be asked to open the Cornish Cross. They said it would become a landmark for future generations.
