Church spire inspires sculpture for new community in Ross-on-Wye

Inspired by a local landmark, a new sculpture is set to provide a focal point for residents of a new community in Ross-on-Wye.

The Edenstone Group has commissioned Simon Probyn to create a piece of public art for its St Mary’s Garden Village development.

Simon explained: “I used to live near Ross on Wye at Aston Crews and was familiar with St Mary’s Church, which is a local landmark clearly visible from St Mary’s Garden Village. The church spire was the inspiration behind my design, which I’ve called Spire. It will take around a month to create the sculpture from 600 individual pieces of mild steel cut and welded together, configured in a winding upward motion reducing as it climbs up to 15 ft tall.”

Once finished, Spire will weigh around a tonne and take centre stage in the formal garden of the new community. It is hoped the garden will be officially unveiled in time for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend (June 2nd- 5th).

Simon, a self-taught sculptor, became a fulltime artist 10 year ago and rents a workshop in a farmer’s barn near Ledbury, Hertfordshire.

“I think this Spire with look completely at home at St Mary’s Garden Village,” he said. “It mirrors the old town church Spire which can be seen.  I hope the sculpture will give pleasure to the residents when they walk or sit in the formal garden.”

Simon has worked extensively with landscape designers, collaborating in the design of award-winning gardens with members of The Royal Horticultural Society at Chelsea, Hampton Court Palace & Malvern. His work is collected nationally and internationally.

St Mary’s Garden Village is being shaped by Edenstone Homes and Bluebell Homes, both part of the Edenstone Group. It will eventually feature 290 homes and community facilities including plans for walking and fitness trails with equipment; a gym within a community hub; a kick about area and cycle hire facilities.

Edenstone Group sales director Adele McCoy said: “Simon is a well-known local artist and the perfect choice for a piece of public art for residents of St Mary’s Garden Village to enjoy. He’s nailed the brief perfectly designing a bespoke sculpture that reflects the heritage of the area. We can’t wait to see the finished sculpture in situ alongside our new homes as part of this thriving new community.”

Between the company’s two housing brands, St Mary’s Garden Village, offers a choice of properties that cater for a variety of purchasers including first time buyers, families and downsizers. To find out more about the Edenstone phase, see https://edenstonehomes.com/st-marys-garden-village/ or for details about the Bluebell phase see https://www.bluebellhomes.co.uk/stmarys.