10/06/2026
Staff from Phoenix recently visited the knife angel in Ely.
Ely is a lovely city only a short train ride from Whittlesey.
The angel, officially known as the national monument against violence and aggression is a 27 foot tall contemporary sculpture created by artist Alfie Bradley. It weighs over three tons and took more than two years to build. It cost about half £500,000. The purpose of the statue was to highlight knife crime in the United Kingdom and educate young people on the harmful effect violent behaviour can have on their communities. Many of these knives have been used in fatal attacks or stabbings across the country . 
It is constructed from approximately 100,000 bladed weapons, including knives, machetes and samurai swords.
The blades were surrendered during a national amnesty and and from Police constabularies across the UK. Some arrived in evidence tubes with bodily fluids still on their surface.
The sculpture features a face of dismay. Many blades are inscribed with messages of Hope, loss or forgiveness from Victim‘s families and reformed offenders.
The Cathedral is also a beautiful calm place to reflect.
Photos courtesy of Al Swift.
