В центре Телфорда открылась площадь имени Бетти Харрис, выбранная голосованием жителей

A new public square in the heart of Telford Town Centre’s Station Quarter has been named ‘Betty Harris Square’ following a public vote involving more than 1,000 residents. The square, located between The Quad digital skills hub and the new Telford 6th sixth form centre, takes its name from Betty Harris, whose experiences working as a ‘pit girl’ became one of the most powerful accounts of women’s working lives during Britain’s industrial past. While Betty Harris herself was not from Telford, her story came to represent the thousands of women, many whose names are unknown, who worked in the coalfields across East Shropshire (now Telford & Wrekin) and helped shape communities throughout the region. - Advertisement - The completion of Harris Square coincides with the opening of Telford 6th, the new home of Telford College’s A-Level provision, marking another major milestone in the transformation of Station Quarter. Telford & Wrekin Council has helped fund the multi-million-pound Station Quarter investment, which is creating a modern destination for learning, skills, business and leisure in Telford Town Centre. The square was designed and managed by the Council’s highways team, with construction works delivered by G&N Groundworks and Balfour Beatty Living Places. The finishing touches have been completed by Nobridge Nurseries through new planting and landscaping. The Council wanted the name of the square to reflect both the area’s industrial heritage and the opportunities being created for future generations through the Station Quarter development. Residents were invited to vote from a shortlist of influential women connected to the history of the wider Telford and Shropshire area, including Sarah Darby, Mary Rathbone, Elizabeth Poole, Julie Salmon, Sarah Guppy and Abia Darby. Betty Harris received the highest number of votes. A biography explaining the significance of Betty Harris and the wider contribution of the Shropshire pit girls will be installed at the square, helping visitors understand the role these women played in supporting families and communities during the Industrial Revolution. An official naming ceremony will take place in due course, with descendants of Betty Harris and local mining heritage groups invited to attend. Councillor Lee Carter, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “Station Quarter represents the future of Telford, bringing new educational opportunities, jobs and investment into our town centre. “But as we build for future generations, it’s important that we also recognise the people whose hard work and resilience helped shape the communities we know today.” “Although Betty Harris was not from Telford itself, her story has become synonymous with the experiences of Shropshire’s pit girls and working women across our historic coalfield communities – including those working the banks in Oakengates, Madeley and Dawley whose names are unknown. “She represents a generation whose contribution is often overlooked but was fundamental to our area’s industrial success. “More than 1,000 people took part in the vote and chose Betty Harris Square as the winning name. “That level of support shows how strongly local people feel about celebrating the lives of ordinary women whose extraordinary determination helped build the foundations of modern Shropshire. “Betty Harris Square will not only honour that legacy but will also provide a new focal point at the heart of Station Quarter for generations to come.”