Stourhead plans

    
We went to Stourhead, the National Trust gardens in Wiltshire, to discuss possible Scraptor installations as  part of the Trust's  presentation from 2014 of how the First World War affected the estate and the community. There will be exhibits in the house about Harry Hoare, the heir to the property. The intended Scraptors contribution  would be eye-catching outside installations  illustrating aspects life before the War and how it changed for all in the community.  There was for example Ebenezer Stone, a groom in the stables, who lost both legs in the war. One of the planned installations will be about him. Like everything this project requires funding and sorting that is the next stage.
    The image above shows an officer of  the Dorset Yeomanry by the Pyramids.  Harry was killed with that regiment in the Middle East. 

Frogs back in Scraptors sculpturemad garden from Braydon Maize Maze

 The Frogs are back in the Scraptors sculpturemad garden from a sojourn in the Braydon Maize Maze in Wiltshire. Anthony made them in 2009 for the Love London Recycled Sculpture Show at the London Wetland Centre in which he curated (see below). Also back from the Maze the Insect and Mondrian Man.

Bird Henge Trail and World War 1

 Anthony has been researching for the online ramblers' trail - the Bird Henge Trail - that will be created when we have created the Bird Henge which will be by a public footpath in the Wylye Valley in Wiltshire. The online trail will feature images of times past. The Bird Henge will be on the site of an army camp at Heytesbury. The image above shows soldiers in that camp and below is a soldier in an unidentified camp in the Valley. Images courtesy of Waminster Museum.

Creating with Creative Wiltshire

Anthony went on a ten mile walk and collaborative workshop with other artists organized by  Creative Wiltshire www.creativewiltshire.co.uk on a perfect winter day in the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty  www.ccwwdaonb.org.uk There are splendid views  and ancient woodland. The pond below is a rare surviving intact dewpond.

Bird Henge started

We have started on our Bird Henge. We have erected a giant Owl Idol in the Scraptors sculpturemad garden . The bird headed High Priests will be in procession towards it. The beak is a bonnet from a Volkswagen Beetle car and the eyes are the tops of patio heaters. The  Bird Henge will be beside a public path and we will create a circular  online ramblers trail, the Bird Henge Trail,which will pass by it.

World War II Bridge?

Anthony has been doing research for the online circular ramblers' trail the Bird Henge Trail that will be created when we have built our Bird Henge near Stonehenge. Since he was a toddler, he has toddled across this bridge nearby. Researching for the trail he was curious about its origin. It has a bit of what looks like a rail set in the concrete. Railways were built in World War 1 to service local army camps but he was  told that this was a practice bridge in World War II in preparing for the invasion of Normandy.

"Collide" at Crypt Gallery St Pancras Church London- stuff we like

This inspiring group exhibition continues at the Crypt Gallery St Pancras Church in London in a wonderful venue. A sewing machine below has been used for a sculpture. Anthony felt an affinity with this piece as he used a sewing machine in a similar way by adding a flint and gold paint (the bottom picture).   Collide continues for tow more days.