Sculpture Trail Bridges Watlington’s Historic Charm and New Vibes

Watlington, a market town with a rich history, is about to get a new public art trail that will connect its historic centre with the newer developments. The project was approved by South Oxfordshire District Council in November, and it will feature seven sculptures along a walking route that links the old and new parts of the town. Five of these sculptures will be large clay busts created by Joseph Hillier, an artist selected through a national competition. The other two pieces will be designed by local artists, adding a personal touch to the trail. The sculptures will be installed at five different locations, after two original sites—the Town Hall and the area in front of St Leonard's Church—were removed from the plan due to concerns from local residents.

Watlington is known for its narrow streets and tall red-brick buildings, with a history that dates back to the 6th century. Steve Bolingbroke, a parish councillor leading the project, explained that new housing developments in the west of the town will increase its size by about 40 percent. Developers are required to contribute funds for public art, which has given the local authority around £125,000 to spend on the project. Hillier's clay busts will be about a meter high and mounted on steel plinths. Each sculpture will represent a different aspect of Watlington, such as the chalk stream or the yew forests on Watlington Hill. Hillier said he was inspired by the town's welcoming atmosphere and the close-knit communities he found there. He is currently working on the pieces in his studio in Northumberland, and the sculptures are expected to be installed in the summer.

One of the sculptures, called 'The Boy Who Never Left The Trees,' will show the moon shining through beechwoods, which are typical of the Chilterns area. The two local artists will create works that reflect other features of the town. Bolingbroke said the council applied for more locations than necessary to gauge public opinion. Some residents felt that placing sculptures near the church and Town Hall was inappropriate, especially for a place of worship. After listening to feedback, the council decided to withdraw those two locations. The seven sculptures will now be placed at Hill Road Car Park, The Paddock, Mansle Gardens, Asgard Green in the new Red Kite View development, and on the Willow Close footpath in the new Hampden Meadows development. Since The Paddock and Mansle Gardens are owned by the parish council, no planning permission was needed for those sites. Bolingbroke believes that creating a visual and physical link between the old and new parts of Watlington will help build a stronger community.