Roll Out the LIno (1) - 10 July 2018

I was charmed and fascinated by the sculpture 'Roll Out the Lino' (2004) by David Annand. Situated in High Street, Staines it is adjacent to the Two Rivers Shopping Centre which, the accompanying plaque explains, was the site the Staines Linoleum Factory which opened in 1864, growing by 1930 to 45 acres. It produced the first lino in the world and was the largest employer in the area for many years.

Around the roll of lino being carried by the two figures is a delightful poem 'On the Roll' by Leona Medlin and Richard Price:

Roll out the lino
from Staines to the world!
Release every pattern
from chessboard to twirl!
In every hopeful kitchen
let life unfurl,
bathrooms are artrooms
from soapsuds to swirl!
Roll out the lino
from Staines to the world!

© Leona Medlin and Richard Price

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