Andy Edwards, the artist behind the towering Lemmy Kilmister statue in Burslem, was awarded a Civic Pride Award at the Your Heroes Awards in December 2025. The ceremony, held at Staffordshire University, celebrated local people who made a lasting difference to the community. Edwards was one of only three recipients of the civic-pride honour.
The recognition came after a six-month campaign in which residents nominated individuals who had strengthened local identity. The awards night brought together 260 guests for a black-tie dinner, where 27 honours were given across diverse categories such as Hero of the NHS, Carer of the Year, and Uniformed Hero.
Edwards admitted the win stunned him. “It was unbelievable,” he said. “I was totally taken by surprise, totally shocked. I didn’t know where to put myself really.” The award, he added, “means an incredible amount,” because it came from the community he lives among.
The statue itself played a key role in the decision. Unveiled on 9 May 2025, the 2.25-metre bronze sculpture shows Lemmy in his classic 1980s stance: hat, boots, bass, attitude. The plinth contains a portion of Lemmy’s ashes, sealed during the ceremony by Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell.
The unveiling became a full-scale tribute. Fans and musicians gathered, a biker’s cortege roared through Burslem, speeches were made, and a 21-rev motorcycle salute filled the square. As the applause faded, Campbell placed Lemmy’s ashes into the statue, making the memorial both symbolic and physical.
Since then, the impact has been remarkable. Visitors from around 60 countries have travelled to the Market Place to take photos, leave messages, and honour Lemmy. Local businesses report more foot traffic, and Burslem has gained a new cultural identity: a rock landmark in the heart of the Potteries.
Edwards has already begun expanding the site’s future. He signed a lease on the shop next to the statue, planning to sell Lemmy-related merchandise and create a space for fans to gather. The aim is not commercial hype, but connection: a place where music, memory, and community meet.
Accepting the award, Edwards said the statue was never meant as just a monument to one man. It was meant to live. “If it brings people together and makes them proud of where they’re from,” he said, “then that’s everything.”
