A new public artwork has been revealed at Taylor Wimpey East Scotland’s Hawthorn Gardens housing development in South Queensferry.
The artwork comes as part of the firm’s percent for art commitment to the town which came as part of planning consent for the development.
To mark the official installation and unveiling of the art structures to the local community, Taylor Wimpey East Scotland welcomed the City of Edinburgh’s lord provost Robert Aldridge to join them at the development.
They were joined by members of the Queensferry District Community Council and the team that has worked to deliver the project. Guests also included Mrs Elizabeth Grubb, the wife of the former lord provost George Grubb who served the local community as a Liberal Democrat councillor for 13 years during the period 1999-2012, and members of her family.
Designed by Artist Blacksmiths at Ratho Byres Forge, the forged steel artwork symbolises the legs of the three iconic bridges spanning the River Forth – the Forth Bridge, the Forth Road Bridge, and the Queensferry Crossing.
The artwork also incorporates leaves from local trees, replicating the leaves of the seven tree species in the local area historically known as the Dark Entries.
Pauline Mills, technical director for Taylor Wimpey East Scotland, commented, “The unveiling of this stunning artwork recognises that the true essence of any new development lies not only in its physical form but also in the connections it fosters among the people it serves. This development is more than a collection of new homes; it is a vibrant hub where individuals come together to form a cohesive community.
“The artwork celebrates physical and social connections that we need in any community. Together, we are building more than a development at Hawthorn Gardens; we are creating a legacy of community spirit that will hopefully stand as strong and as proud as the three bridges that span the River Forth.”
As part of the event, guests also took the opportunity to visit Grubb Gardens, a street of new homes under construction that recognises and provides a legacy to former lord provost George Grubb.
Overlooking a new central playpark, Grubb Gardens includes a range of apartments and new homes similar to the styles shown within the development’s show home street scene.
Taylor Wimpey East Scotland said it is proud to have the opportunity to provide a lasting tribute to former lord provost Grubb. Pauline added, “We strive to create developments that people want to call home and to bring communities together. What better way of linking our new development and growing community at Hawthorn Gardens with the existing and vibrant local community in Queensferry than by naming a street in the development after Lord Provost Grubb, who dedicated so much of his life to public service.
“Grubb Gardens is forming a lovely street overlooking a new playpark, and its links to former Lord Provost Grubb creates a piece of local social history as well as a lasting legacy that we know his family is very proud of.”
The lord provost Robert Aldridge said, “I was grateful to have known my predecessor George for a long time and to have called him a friend. As lord provost, he brought a great amount of wisdom about civic life to the role – having served many years in the Royal Air Force and as a parish minister – and as a local politician for Queensferry, he supported and represented so many. Grubb Gardens is a very fitting legacy and a fond reminder of his links to the local area.
“The new artwork installed in Hawthorn Gardens is also a fantastic symbol of community and a beautiful addition to the development. This is a new community where people from all over Edinburgh and the world are moving to and putting down roots. We urgently need more housing in our city, and these homes are a very welcome addition.”