Following the tremendous success of Harlow Hotspots 2007 the competition was repeated in 2008.
Nineteen nominations were shortlisted down to six with voting for the final two winners taking place via Harlow Star’s website and visitors to Harlow Renaissance’s marquee at Harlow Town’s Show.
The winners were:
Parndon Wood & Hawkenbury Meadow Nature Reserve
Nominators: Wildspace!
Danny Kings for Wildspace! Volunteers:
“This is great news. Many thanks to the people of Harlow for voting for the projects. This will allow us to further enhance the important work being undertaken at Parndon Wood which is visited by so many local people, families and nature lovers. Parndon Wood and Hawkenbury Meadow are part of our environmental heritage and we are so pleased that we are able to play our part in preserving them for future generations.”
At Parndon Wood
- Carry out tree work to prevent a veteran Hornbeam from collapsing and to allow more light into the pond
- Dredge the pond to create a habitat more suitable for wildlife
- Remove selected trees around the pond to allow in more light to allow grass and other vegetation to grow providing more habitats
- Replace the pathway leading through a wet area of the wood up to a bird hide
- Purchase equipment to maintain the area
At Hawkenbury Meadow
- Design, Create and place a bench at Hawkenbury Meadow which currently has no seating facilities for visitors
Since winning the competition, staff at Parndon Wood and Wildspace! Volunteers have undertaken not only the projects highlighted in the entry but also have managed to squeeze in a few more to the benefit of other nature areas across the town. Parndon Wood offers a number or activities throughout the year for all the family, which provides the perfect opportunity for you to see the work undertaken in person.
Hawkenbury Meadow Local Nature Reserve Bench
The bench was designed and carved by Danny Kings using English Oak from Parndon Wood Nature Reserve.
Parndon Wood Boardwalk
At Parndon Wood a new boardwalk was created through a very wet part of the wood improving access leading up to the main bird hide in the reserve.
Sawmilling
Six English Oaks were selected and felled as part of the ongoing Nature Reserve Management Plan and were milled onsite to create planks for benches (Hawkenbury Meadow) and waymarked trail posts to create a calorie walk in Hospital and Risdens Wood.
Parndon Tree Work
In Parndon Wood a heavily leaning tree was selected to be pollarded (reduce in height) to allow more light to reach the ground thus improving conditions for grass and wildflowers which in turn will benefit butterflies, bugs and invertebrates increasing the biodiversity of the wood.
Sculpture for Town Park Paddling Pool
Nominator: Harlow Art Trust & Friends of Harlow Sculpture Collection
Jackie Storey on behalf of Harlow Arts Trust and Chair of Friends of Harlow Sculpture:
“We are utterly delighted. This is a wonderful project for the whole town as so many people visit the town park and use the paddling pool over the summer months. With the sad acts of vandalism on the sculptures across the town we hope that by caring for them and adding new pieces for public pleasure we will see a reduction in any damage to them. It is wonderful to be able to add to the legacy of public sculpture for which Harlow should rightfully be so proud.”
“Shoal” by artist Will Spankie has joined the internationally recognised sculpture collection which has led to the town recently being designated as the country’s first “Sculpture Town”.
Made from Kilkenny limestone, the sculpture depicts a shoal of small fish swimming around the circular stone. A number of the fish designs were produced in a workshop Will held with pupils at Burnt Mill School.
The sculpture replaces the vandalised Hilary Frew work “Two Children on a Rock” in the paddling pool. Financial support has been provided by Essex County Council and Harlow Council, with the project entry submitted and supported by the Friends of Harlow Sculpture and Harlow Art Trust.
Andrew Bramidge, Chief Executive of Harlow Renaissance:
“Hotspots was another tremendous success and yet another example of the pride Harlow people have in the town. Will has brought flair and vivacity to the project and we are delighted that he is making his own impression on the artistic legacy of the town. We see this as being another positive step in the promotion of the town and to help people see something different in Harlow.”
Cllr Sue Livings, Vice Chair of Harlow Council and representative on Harlow Art Trust:
“Will Spankie’s new sculpture ‘Shoal’ is a beautiful new addition to Harlow’s sculpture collection. I’m sure local children have been delighted to have a new sculpture to enjoy and explore this summer. The development of this project has involved a whole range of different organisations and individuals, I’m delighted that all the partners have been able to work together to secure this wonderful new addition to Harlow’s sculpture collection.”
Julian Rea, Chair of Harlow Art Trust:
“The Harlow Art Trust is very pleased to be associated with this new sculpture which is designed to please both adults and children alike. The Trust’s most famous works by Henry Moore, Auguste Rodin, Barbara Hepworth and Elizabeth Frink are internationally known and recognised. But they are the tip of the iceberg. Over sixty other sculptures are spread throughout the town making Harlow one of the most important “Sculpture Towns” in the whole of Britain.”
Jackie Storey, Friends of Harlow Sculpture Collection:
“The Town Park paddling pool with its sculpture brings back fond memories for many Harlow families. A warm summer day trip to the park, a packed lunch and cooling off in the paddling pool, cuddling 'Children on the Rock' stirs up many childhood memories and this nostalgic feeling was the reason it was such a popular choice in the Hotspot Competition. This new piece will carry on the tradition that art should be part of everyday life in our town.”