WITH a swish of cloth and a deftly-wielded pole on Friday the Cinderford Triangle statue tribute to the town's mining roots was revealed to all.
Fittingly sculptor Antony Dufort's depiction of a working miner, modelled on real-life coal winner Dave Harvey, was officially unveiled by veteran miner Eric Warren, and the proud moment was witnessed by many of his family members in the huge crowd.
Earlier a succession of dignitaries and other folk paid tribute to the proud tradition which the statue celebrated, including councillor Bill Hobman who said such hard work relied on humanity and friendship.
"You knew if it wasn't for your butty you could die down there," he said.
Afterwards, there was general acclaim for the sculpture which had taken a year to prepare, with Antony and Dave working in a disused chapel in Yorkley during the initial stages.
"It is very, very good," said freeminer John Russell, who with many was queuing up to be pictured next to the new landmark.
Eric Warren's sister Pat Symonds agreed, but said she would have to wait and see if the Triangle scheme as a whole was a benefit.
"There used to be so much here," she said. "We had it all here once, and it was such a friendly place to live."
Her other sister Cath Drew agreed, nodding as somebody at the back of the good-natured crowd added informatively: "There were three pubs, and a butcher's shop, and the greengrocers..." The list went on.
Antony Dufort declared himself very happy with the finished work, which sits on a natural rock set in a roughly-shaped plinth of local stone.
Asked if he was glad his labours were over he said: "I'm not feeling that way at all. I'm just enjoying the occasion."
Before the civic party moved off, Dave Harvey read some of his poems then left his likeness to sit – or rather kneel – and ponder its new surroundings.