Goldthorpe gateway roundabout artwork

A new gateway artwork for Goldthorpe will be designed by renowned sculptor Dan Jones. Emerging artist Ailish Treanor will also be joining the project.

Located at the newly constructed roundabout to the west of Goldthorpe, this initiative aims to enhance community engagement and celebrate local heritage.

Dan and Ailish will conduct workshops in Goldthorpe and the Dearne Valley in 2025 to involve residents in the creative process.

Dan, a lifelong resident of the Dearne Valley, says sustainability and local craftsmanship are central to his work.

Ailish, based in Barnsley, is keen on improving access to art and gaining experience in public sculpture.

The project is in collaboration with Beam, a cultural organization, and aims to inspire and uplift those entering Goldthorpe.

About Dan Jones

Dan Jones is a sculptor living and working in South Yorkshire.

His work is directly inspired by the landscape around him, and he takes delight in the natural objects and artefacts that he finds within it.

Dan works in partnership with numerous local authorities and regeneration agencies on schemes of work that have attracted national awards and strong public approval.

About Ailish Treanor

Barnsley-based Ailish Treanor is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work sits at the cross-section of sculpture and printmaking.

She is artist in residence at the Barnsley Civic, where her exhibition Ulterior Motifs is running until 18 January 2025.

Goldthorpe shutters artwork and Phoenix Park mural underpass

Mural artist Jayde Marie Bell has been awarded two new commissions following her exceptional work on painting shop shutters in Goldthorpe.

Firstly, she'll be painting six new murals on the shutters of businesses on Goldthorpe's high street, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The second project is a mural for the underpass connecting Goldthorpe to Thurnscoe's Phoenix Park, which is being designed with involvement from young people from the Dearne.

Find out more about these projects on the Goldthorpe Towns Fund webpage.

Horse and Groom Square

Art collective STATIC were commissioned to design and produce two new murals for the Horse and Groom Square, which were completed in April 2025.

The artwork provides a new backdrop for the public square, which opened in 2023 and features elements preserved from the former Horse and Groom pub at the site. We chose STATIC following an open commission with Beam, a cultural organization working across the north of England. A community painting day was held to involve the community in creating the new artwork. It covers the wall to the rear of the square and the wall of Goldthorpe Library to the left.

The square is already an important focal point for the town and this new artwork adds to its appeal, not only celebrating the Dearne’s history but also aiming to inspire pride within our community. We worked with cultural organisation Beam on this project, which draws on stencil illustrations produced with children at Highgate Primary Academy and ideas gathered a drop-in sessions in the Dearne.

The vision for the library wall is titled The Stories. It features wildlife native to the Dearne Valley and references to the area's heritage.

The rear wall of the Horse and Groom Square is partly covered by artwork forming the words 'Learn from the past; look to the future'. Some of the original brickwork has been left unpainted.

About 'The Stories'

Flowing ribbons, representing time connecting past, present and future, flow from three different books.

The first book is history, with a subtle but respectful nod to mining and also the old Horse and Groom pub which stood on the square. A miner's lamp and snap tin sit next to the "mine shaft table", where a canary perches on top. Black silhouettes of birds, representing coal and shadows, fly out as part of the central theme.

The second book is nature, reflecting one of the most popular themes mentioned when talking to local people, due to the excellent local parks and wildlife.

The third book is future - it's clear the future is bright! The design features artwork created by local young people, showing what they love about the place they live. Birds, symbolising knowledge as well as stories and ideas taking flight, fly out from each book in different styles relating to the book in question.

Ivy grows, intertwined with the ribbons, as an evergreen plant known for its resilience.

About STATIC

Since forming STATIC in Scarborough in 2006, Tom Jackson and Craig Evans have painted murals across the UK and as far away as Japan.

STATIC have built a reputation based on bold and striking designs and have a keen eye for detail, creating unique artworks that reflect on culture, personal stories and collective experiences.

Find out more on the STATIC website.

More information

These projects are all part of the Goldthorpe Towns Fund deal.

This seeks to rejuvenate Goldthorpe, Thurnscoe, and Bolton upon Dearne with an investment of £23.1 million from the UK Government’s Towns Fund.

A package of projects is already underway, creating more opportunities for people living in the area.

These initiatives aim to honour the past while contributing to a vibrant future for Goldthorpe.

More details about the Towns Fund can be found on the Towns Fund webpage.