On Wednesday, August 9, Leader of the Council Jeremy Kite MBE joined sculptor Amy Goodman and Keith Richards’ family to unveil The Glimmer Twins to guests and the public at One Bell Corner.

The work depicting Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards mid-performance was paid for through a public art contribution by Bellway London’s Copperhouse Green development on Lowfield Street.

Together the frontman and guitarist of The Rolling Stones went on to take the world by storm after reuniting at Dartford Railway Station in 1961. They have had number one albums in every single decade since, featuring huge hits including Satisfaction, Gimme Shelter, Sympathy for the Devil and Paint it Black.

Dartford Borough Council commissioned statues of The Rolling Stones legends in 2022 and sculptor Amy Goodman has immortalised them in her work, The Glimmer Twins.

Councillor Kite said: “Wherever they are in the world, it’s clear that Sir Mick and Keith never forget their origins. They have been amazingly supportive to young people’s music projects in Dartford and have proudly worn their Straight Outta Dartford t-shirts in front of tens of thousands.

“We want to inspire a new generation of creative young people to be themselves and achieve things. Hopefully the story of Dartford’s own two Rolling Stones will be an inspiration.

“I’d like to thank Bellway London for funding this fantastic sculpture, and of course Amy Goodman, who has created an eye-catching celebration of Dartford’s modern history. Amy has contributed to the character of our town and created a landmark that will last for generations. Thank you Amy.”

Sculptor Amy Goodman said: “This has been a really unexpected dream commission. To get the opportunity to sculpt these icons whose music I absolutely love has been overwhelming, mind blowing and emotional.

“Playing their music, surrounding myself with their material while I sculpted them helped a lot and I just wanted to create the best, most dynamic piece I could.”

Jamie MacArthur, Regional Planning Director for Bellway London, said: “It is with great pride that we watch The Glimmer Twins statue unveiled. Dartford is a unique and thriving town, a place deserving of something as special as this bespoke public artwork.

“Aiding in regeneration, including improvements to open spaces, is the focal point of our work within the community. Whether we are building new, energy-efficient homes to meet local housing need – like at Copperhouse Green – or providing funding to support local causes, we are aiming to make a positive contribution to the area.”

Background:

Both Mick and Keith attended Wentworth Primary School together before going their separate ways at secondary school. Mick, who grew up on Denver Road, would attend Dartford Grammar School – now home to the Mick Jagger Centre which opened in 2000, while rebellious Keith attended Dartford Technical High School. As a boy Keith lived above a parade of shops on Chastilian Road and the pair reunited in 1961 when they met at Dartford Station and fell in to a conversation about music while waiting for a train on platform 2.

Sculptor and portrait artist Amy Goodman has recently created public works including a bronze bust of Florence Nightingale, as well as the Gurkha Memorial in Aldershot.

Other key public works include the jump ready ‘Airborne Soldier’, the emotive WW1 ‘Romsey War Horse & Trooper’, and the three ‘Arborfield Horses’ (also unveiled last year), among others. Last year she had the absolute honour of being commissioned to sculpt the late Sir Stirling Moss for the British Racing Drivers Club. His bronze was unveiled at Silverstone last year.

For further information, please contact press@dartford.gov.uk or call 01322 343440.

Press release by Dartford Borough Council.

To read more about this project follow the link here.

Photography credit – Andy Barnes Photography