A FUNDRAISING campaign is in desperate need of cash to help Shell Corner live up to its name once again.

An unexploded First World War German artillery shell took pride of place on Long Lane after WW1, before disappearing in the 1970s.

However last year, Halesowen North Councillor Stuart Henley organised for a new artillery shell to be installed on Shell Corner, but to do it he is in need of funds to get the monument in its rightful home.

He managed to raise £340 in the past 12 months, but is still a long way off the £8,000 he needs to fulfil the project.

Cllr Henley has faced opposition from Dudley Council about the costs of the installation and where to put the new shell, but has now settled on the junction of Long Lane and Maple Road.

The councillor said: “I’m still in discussion with the council regarding the cost of getting it installed but I think they are taking the mickey with what they are quoting – £12,000 just to move a couple of signs!

Halesowen News:

Cllr Henley's plans.

“I have spoken to fellow ward councillor Karen Shakespeare to see if she can try and get them to work with us and get a reasonable price.

“So far I have got £1,000 from the community forum which has been promised to the project, but some of the work that the council is trying to charge us for is stuff that they should be undertaking anyway.

“I would say £5,000 is reasonable.”

To donate to the project visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/returnoftheshell.

Cllr Henley originally wanted the shell, which has been donated by The British Army's Carver Barracks in Essex, to be in place for this year’s Remembrance Day, but he admits that is no longer viable.

He added: “It has taken me about 18 months to get to this stage. It will happen, I just don’t know when.”

The shell is currently being painted by the art department staff at Halesowen College incorporating poppies and silhouettes of soldiers.

Cllr Henley said: “The artwork is really coming together. Halesowen College have done a brilliant job with the design.

“When I was doing my campaigning four years ago it was something that many residents said they wanted back in the area.

“It is iconic and I said I would try my best for there to be a shell back in shell corner, back to what was there before.

“A lot of work needs doing around shell corner, but by coming together we can really help do something good for the community.”