A SPECIAL stone will become the joule in the crown in tribute to a Trafford physicist.

James Prescott Joule was born on December 24, 1818, in Salford, and his family moved to Sale when he was a boy.

Christmas Eve, 2018, marked 200 years since Joule's birth and a special paving stone will be unveiled in Worthingrton Park.

The Mayor of Trafford, Cllr Tom Ross, councillors and the ceramicist who designed and made it the stone, will attend the unveiling of a pavement in Worthington Park on April 12 at 11am.

The event, organised by the Friends of Worthington Park, will be witnessed by children from St Joseph’s Primary. School.

The famous scientist spent his latter years at 12 Wardle Road, Sale, worshipped at St Paul’s church and is buried in Brooklands cemetery.

For nearly 20 years he worked in the family brewery and discovered “Joule’s Law” when attempting to replace the steam engines there with electric ones.

There is a pub in Northenden Road, Sale, named after him.

Along with fellow scientist Lord Kelvin, he found out that when gas expands, its temperature falls leading eventually, to the discovery of refrigeration.

His gravestone is engraved with the number 772.55, his measurement of the mechanical equivalent of heat.

This number is repeated on the pavement, designed and made by Gordon Cooke, who has been making ceramics at his studio in Poplar Grove, Sale, for more than 30 years.

The Joule pavement is made from Stoneware ceramic and granite. “It is frost tolerant and beautiful,” said Gordon.

“I’ve tried to make it visually interesting to draw the viewer in to discover more of our local hero. I wanted to convey his work in a visual way making the main image about the device he designed to prove his theories.

“I have created historical interest about his life around the edge of the pavement. The words there give details about his birth, life and where his mortal remains lie.

“Although the lettering was straightforward, this was not an easy task. The firing was full of potential hazards such as warping, shrinkage and cracking. I worried that the pieces would shrink equally and, if not, would the 60 pieces fit together after firing? I haven’t done anything as large before.”

The funds for the project were raised by organisations such as the Heritage Lottery Fund, Sale Mayoral Fund, Manchester Airport, Friends of Worthington Gardens and a local resident.

Chairman of the Friends Group, Nona Dougherty, said: “The Friends group knew about Graham Cooke’s pavement feature in Walkden Gardens and decided to commission him.

“It was appropriate to place the pavement in Worthingrton Park since the scientist’s bust, on a pedestal, was already there.”