Roundabouts
Every year Kevin Beresford travels the country in his role as president of the Roundabout Appreciation Society. His aim is to find a winner for the much coveted ‘Best Roundabout of the Year’ title. The current winner is the village of Otford, for its Duck Pond.
Ever since the first one was built at Letchworth Garden City in 1909, the British have taken these traffic-calming devices very seriously and competition is stiff for Kevin’s prize. There is the full-size floral Mini Cooper outside Longbridge car plant. Or the huge miner’s Davy lamp in Sunderland. The mother ship in Swindon is surrounded by five small satellites and its own memorabilia industry with T-shirts saying ‘I survived Swindon’s Magic Roundabout’.
Sadly, it would appear that the Pelham Roundabout on the seafront will not be attracting a visit from the judging panel anytime soon. But it could have been so different. We could, as the saying goes, been a contender. Last year, the Fairlight Arts Trust announced that it was donating £100,000 for the refurbishment of this sad little island. The defunct fountain would be replaced by a piece of public art – two words that usually court controversy but in the hands of this respectable body would have undoubtedly resulted in a unique and appropriate addition to the landscape.
Outline planning permission was granted and multiple meetings held to ensure that all the safety and context boxes were ticked. Following public consultation, a Helter Skelter sculpture by the British artist Henry Krokatsis was declared the popular choice.
The council handed over the first trench (of the trust’s money) for the artist to start and then performed a dramatic U turn. The artwork was no longer wanted. Confusion reigns as to their decision. It might be ‘distracting’ seems to be the main reason. Regardless, it is a missed opportunity.
But as trustee Sarah Kowitz points out, Sussex councillors have ‘form’ in this department: in 1914 a French artist donated a sculpture to be displayed in Lewes Town Hall. The following year the councillors wrapped the statue in canvas and returned it because it did not ‘lend itself’ to the town hall. The French artist in question was Auguste Rodin; the artwork: The Kiss.
Next week: Cats on hols, part 2.
Ever since the first one was built at Letchworth Garden City in 1909, the British have taken these traffic-calming devices very seriously and competition is stiff for Kevin’s prize. There is the full-size floral Mini Cooper outside Longbridge car plant. Or the huge miner’s Davy lamp in Sunderland. The mother ship in Swindon is surrounded by five small satellites and its own memorabilia industry with T-shirts saying ‘I survived Swindon’s Magic Roundabout’.
Sadly, it would appear that the Pelham Roundabout on the seafront will not be attracting a visit from the judging panel anytime soon. But it could have been so different. We could, as the saying goes, been a contender. Last year, the Fairlight Arts Trust announced that it was donating £100,000 for the refurbishment of this sad little island. The defunct fountain would be replaced by a piece of public art – two words that usually court controversy but in the hands of this respectable body would have undoubtedly resulted in a unique and appropriate addition to the landscape.
Outline planning permission was granted and multiple meetings held to ensure that all the safety and context boxes were ticked. Following public consultation, a Helter Skelter sculpture by the British artist Henry Krokatsis was declared the popular choice.
The council handed over the first trench (of the trust’s money) for the artist to start and then performed a dramatic U turn. The artwork was no longer wanted. Confusion reigns as to their decision. It might be ‘distracting’ seems to be the main reason. Regardless, it is a missed opportunity.
But as trustee Sarah Kowitz points out, Sussex councillors have ‘form’ in this department: in 1914 a French artist donated a sculpture to be displayed in Lewes Town Hall. The following year the councillors wrapped the statue in canvas and returned it because it did not ‘lend itself’ to the town hall. The French artist in question was Auguste Rodin; the artwork: The Kiss.
Next week: Cats on hols, part 2.