An iconic cockerel sculpture outside the abandoned Ashmount Primary School site is to be retained after years of deliberation about its future.
The metal bird was built in 1957 and, despite being nationally listed, was under threat of demolition as the Government continues to decide how the derelict site will be used.
Francis Wilkinson, head of the Ashmount Site Action Group, confirmed that the bird, standing at more than three feet high, would not be removed as part of the building’s renovation.
“What will become of the site is very much up in the air,” Wilkinson said. “But we do know that the cockerel will stay.
“We’re pleased that the government has seen sense. It’s an important cultural landmark for Islington.”
Residents of the neighbouring Hillrise ward said they were pleased with the outcome.
Mary Burdon, 53, said: “I’m delighted. It would have been very strange and sad to see the cockerel torn down.
“It’s such a well-known feature of the area, perhaps the only real landmark for a few miles.”
Looking my old school up on the Webb I was saddened to see its now abandoned. I was there through infants and Juniors in the sixties. Living just opposite in the flats we kids all went there.
I have offer wondered if the cockeral was still standing there on the wall. So glad it had been saved. The story being one day it landed and saw a worm, the wind blew and it turned to stone. I hope to go back and visit it one day.
Well done to those who saved it , thank you.
Anne
It should go outside the New Ashmount school in Crouch Hill.
It should go outside the New Ashmount school in Crouch Hill. I went to Ashmount from 1964-1969.
I had wondered what had happened to the school and the cockerel so when in the area recently I decided to take a peek. The bird looked very forlorn and out of place alone on the wall and fronting a development site. However, whilst it is in the place it has been for decades IF there is a nearby replacement school as suggested that relates to ‘Ashmount’ it would make much more sense going there. However, if the school crosses the boundary on Crouch Hill into Haringey there will be little chance of that occurring I expect!
BTW I left the school after being in both the infants and juniors in 1964.