A new sculpture has been erected at a Carlisle beauty spot, thanks to a donation from the park’s user.
Two swans, created by Clare Bigger Ltd, have been installed in the water at Hammond’s Pond.
The installation has been made possible following a donation from park user Ann Clarke. Ann became a member of The Friends of Hammond’s Pond and alongside the other members and Carlisle City Council decided on how the funding would be used.
In addition to the sculpture and a new viewing platform, the money will also be used to purchase a defibrillator for the site.
Sally Ford, of the Friends of Hammond’s Pond, said: “Ann was a member of the Friends of Hammond’s Pond and came along to meetings where we discussed the history and future of the park and what we would love to be able to see in the park if had we an infinite sum of money. Ann loved to come and walk around the park and enjoyed being a part of our group.
“Ann and her late husband Brian kindly gifted a generous donation to be used within Hammond’s and she was delighted to see the plans coming to fruition. As a group we had talked of a sculpture, a walkway, a defibrillator and many other things. When the time came to make final decisions, we discussed this with Ann and within the group, with the support of Carlisle City Council and decided on all three!
“We worked with the artist to come up with the final design. She came to the park, saw what it was all about, chatted with a few members of the group and came up with three designs based on the swans – which we felt are such an integral part of Hammond’s Pond.
“Clare then set to work manufacturing the design which is scaled to real life and kept the group up to date throughout the process. We can’t thank Clare enough for her hard work! Clare also worked closely with the council’s Green Spaces team regarding the installation area and between us we have decided to set them out in the pond. Thanks to the green spaces team, who have organised all this.
“We are so pleased with the final outcome; the design has superseded what we thought they would look like in reality!”
Ann died before the final stage was completed. However, she did see the design and sent the group a letter, which said: “I am delighted with the swans and think they are a wonderful piece of art whose beauty will be enhanced when they are located in the centre of the pond.
“One can easily visualise them, the sun glinting off their wings or rising out of the early morning mist; two lifelong mates beginning a new journey together. The artist has imbued them with movement which brings life and a magical, perhaps spiritual quality to them.”
An accessible viewing platform will also be built on two layers and the final addition will be a defibrillator at the café with the hope of some first aid training available to everyone soon.
