From here, the next step sees the mould taken. Unfortunately, the moulding process destroys the clay model you can see here, but it leaves Mike with a permanent impression of the model which is then cast in wax. The wax impression is perfect for allowing any further refinements that Mike may want to make, such as fine detail in the skin, and Roy's bootlaces which were left out of the clay model due to their fragility when dry.

The wax cast and subsequent final bronze cast will be undertaken when either the fund recieves grants to fully cover the costs, or when we have raised the neccessary amount. Until then, enjoy these photos, and those on earlier pages, which chronicle the development of of the statue so far.

top left: Explaining the mysteries of scultpture to Mark and Joyce Sproson

above: Majestic.....the fine detail of the work from the front

below: Vale legends Ken Hancock and Harry Poole line up once again with Roy, accompanied by Joyce, Mark, and Ian Sproson

bottom left: Sproson Fund campaigner Tony Boult looks on in awe

Statue Gallery page 3

After 8 weeks of hard work by Mike Talbot, we were delighted to finally be able to invite family members and contemporaries of Roy over to the gallery to see the finished model of the statue.

Roy's widow, Joyce, sons Ian and Mark, wives and grandchildren, plus ex-Vale legends Harry Poole and Ken Hancock joined Sproson Fund campaigners on Sunday 13th February to take a final viewing of the model prior to its moulding the following Tuesday. All those gathered were unanimous in their agreement that Mike had done an extraordinary job of capturing Roy, both in his likeness, and in the grace and power of the pose.