Construction News

Tue March 19 2024

Related Information

Bronze bust of JCB founder unveiled

22 Jun 16 The centenary of the birth of Joe Bamford has been marked by the unveiling of a bronze bust of his likeness at the headquarters of the company he founded in Staffordshire, JCB.

JCB himself
JCB himself

Joseph Cyril Bamford was born on 21st June 1916 at the family home, The Parks, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, the son of Cyril and Dolores Bamford. He began making agricultural and construction machinery in a lock-up garage in Uttoxeter in October 1945

When Mr Bamford retired in 1975 and handed over to his son Anthony, the company he founded was turning over more than £43m a year.

His sons Lord (Anthony) Bamford (aged 70) and the younger, less prominent Mark Bamford (aged 62) marked the centenary of his birth by unveiling the 50kg sculpture. Representing the third generation was Jo Bamford, son of Anthony.

The bust was created by Stoke-on-Trent sculptor Andrew Edwards, 52, who spent five months on the work. It stands 70 cm high.

Andrew Edwards said: “I am always extremely nervous when I undertake projects of this nature because they are so very personal to the family members involved. By working closely with the Bamford family I believe we’ve created a wonderful likeness of someone who is undoubtedly one of Staffordshire’s most famous sons. It has been an honour to have undertaken this work.”

The bust will now be on permanent display at JCB’s Rocester headquarters.

However it is not the first bust of Joe Bamford to be commissioned; a smaller one was cast in 1964 and presented to him by employees in gratitude of a £250,000 bonus he shared with the workforce after a record year. That piece sits on his original desk in the Story of JCB permanent exhibition in Rocester.

Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk

MPU
MPU

Click here to view latest construction news »