As Mayor I am usually asked along to open and help celebrate other peoples achievements - this one was a bit different, because I had a hand in it myself. I have been one of several Town Councillors involved in the creation of the Newbury Town Trail since 1998. The Steering Group has shortlisted and selected artists, fundraised and organised the installation of two pieces of public art in that time - it does take a long time - but we are getting quicker!
It is about two and a half years since we wrote and published the brief for the piece we unveiled yesterday - Couple in Conversation by Johannes von Stumm. Johannes lives in Wantage, and used to work at New Greenham Arts, and the piece was made by Boundary Metal, also based at Greenham. It was wonderful to see everything come to fruition yesterday - when the Junior Mayor Gemma Legg 'unveiled' the sculpture (she couldn't do it in person as it is on the middle of a very busy roundabout!).
The sculpture was sponsored by the Colefax Trust, and the trustee John Heath was present, along with Johannes family and in-laws, the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire and his wife, and many other people involved in some way or another with the sculpture.
Included in the photo are Gemma Legg far left, John Heath, the director of Boundary Metal, me, Johannes and Mike Rodger, fellow councillor and chair of the steering group.
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