I just love social media! One of my Twitter and blog followers sent me the photo of the Portrait Bench South Marston Cycle Path that you see at the bottom of this post. And that’s fab. Being a non-driver and bogged down in studies I don’t get to all four corners of our town.
What you are looking at is piece of public art that is also a handy bench: a perfect marriage of form and function indeed! But not just any old bench.
This here is a Portrait Bench. So now, not only do I know about this lovely bench, I also know about the concept of portrait benches and a little bit more about Swindon’s history. And it started with a Tweet!
About Portrait Benches and Sustrans
About the Portrait Benches and Sustrans:
“The Portrait Bench is a new and unique national collection of local portraits.
The figures are inspired and chosen for their individual contribution to the life of the community.
Creating portraits is an old custom. Portraits honour individuals for their philanthropy, political prowess or acts of heroism. And, most commonly, for the love of family members.
All major public spaces are graced by statues or portraits of eminent individuals. And family photos are treasured across the world.
Each Portrait Bench is a collection of three distinctive, life-size local figures cut from sheet steel and installed by a simple bench. They invite you to sit or step up into the space and become a part of the portrait group. The features of each character have been simplified while retaining their essential characteristics.
The characters reflect those things that are important to the community. Each is inspired by the local heritage, culture and aspirations of the area. Some we’ll know and some we won’t. Together they will represent around 230 characters chosen by thousands of people from across the UK”
The Three Figures
The three figures you see here are representatives of some aspects of Swindon’s rich heritage. The chap with a barrel on his shoulder is representing Arkell’s Brewery, established in 1843 and still going strong.
The man in the centre serves as a homage to Swindon’s rich railway heritage, glimpses of which you can see in a couple of my other posts:
1. A Tiny Tour around the town and
2. the one on the Outlet Centre.
The third figure is a WWII airman. He’s there in tribute to the part that Swindon played in producing the Spitfire – arguably the nation’s most famous aircraft.
The factory that contributed to the Spitfire production was located in South Marston. Hence the fitting inclusion of an airman on this portrait bench.
Sustrans
The creation of this portrait bench and the cycle path on which it’s located is part of the Sustrans Connect2 project.
“Sustrans’ Connect2 project has transformed everyday travel for communities across the UK by helping them to choose healthier, cleaner and cheaper journeys.
The project has created new bridges and crossings that overcome busy roads, rivers and railways. It’s made a link to networks of walking and cycling routes, making it easier for millions of people to walk and cycle for everyday journeys‘.
Absolutely fascinating! As a born and bred Swindonian I am finding out so much from these articles. I knew nothing about portrait benches, let alone about this one. Thank you , Born Again’
Thank you for the kind comment. That’s so nice. And yes, well, I’m learning lots too as I write this blog – generally and about this specific post. I too had no idea of the existence of Portrait Benches or of this one in Swindon until, as I said, I was sent a picture of it on Twitter. So that’s two of us that’s learnt a lot today! 🙂
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Kind regards
Born again Swindonian 🙂
Loving the Blog. Swindon is a lovely Town, which deserves celebrating. Well done and thank you!
On the subject of sculpture… Stanton Park was the venue for a 4 day event in Summer, teaching about applied architecture. Very hands on and the result was that there are now 5 timber structures dotted about, all larger than life, and each one unique.
If you ever want a tour, I’d be more than happy to oblige (I’m the lead Ranger for the Park!) The office number is 01793 490150
David
Hello David
Thank yoo so much for your kind comment. And thank you for the heads up about the timber structures at Stanton. I don’t drive so can’t easily get out there but I’m sure I can find someone to come with me. That would be wonderful! I’m in my final term of my English degree so if I could put it on hold till then? That would make a fabulous blog post. Thank you.
If you do want to get out there you can take the No7 bus to South Marston (Supermarine stop, the last stop in Swindon so regular bus ticket is fine) then about half mile walk to Stanton’s Gates. Nice day out, done it a few times.
Thank you for the heads up there, I will bear that in mind. However, I have a friend who I’m sure would love to come with me. And I really can’t think about it just yet. But def would love to do so. It sounds great!
Thanks for pointing out that the information about the bench was hard to find online. I have added a page about the path and bench to the Swindon Travel Choices website at: http://www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk/cycle/south-marston-connect2.aspx
Hello Clare
Thanks for your comment.
Yes! The information was hard to find on-line, you are right. I struggled. @Swindondriver (on Twitter) helped me out. If I have one gripe about stuff to do with Swindon it’s that things somehow always seems to be ahrd to find. Why???? It defeats me. 🙁
I’ll add the link to your page into the blog post.
Cheers
Angela – AKA Born again Swindonian
Dear born again Swindonian….love your blog… you have commented on my FB page – or maybe it was “highworth’s missing link” page re my photo of the portrait bench / new sign / 3 sculptures.. As much as I LOVE it….. I alway wonder….. WHY this specific location — DIRECTLY IN FRONT of a LORRY LAY BY — was chosen. As a utility cyclist who uses this path every Saturday to get from highworth to Swindon, I’ve seen bags of (lorry drivers’??) rubbish, ripped open, I assume by birds or animals. To sit on the bench while lorries are parked there is a bit daunting if there are 3 or 4 lorry drivers; to be cut off from public view by huge lorries… at least for young people….. and one particular time I was on my way back home to Highworth, dreading that last leg of the journey, which that day was going to be the dreaded A361….and as I slowed down to sit on the bench, have a sip of water and the other half of my energy bar, I happened upon a lorry driver relieving himself against one of his tyres. I am not easily shocked, but lost any urge to sit on the nearby bench……. did not B & Q or Sustrans think of this? A shame the portrait bench wasn’t positioned before or after the lorry layby. do you think I’m alone in thinking this? I’m not going public, it’s done now, and I love it. Just a shame it is hidden by lorries,… and just a tad bit ironic if you think about sustainable travel and the wonderful sky blue paint job of the B&Q warehouse….then….LORRIES …!!! Ok, just had to vent a bit. That was therapeutic. 🙂 Love your blog!!
Hey there
Yep – well I can see your point but you’d have to ask Sustrans about that I fear.
But thanks for your kind comments about my blog. They are always nice to hear. 🙂
I would love to know more about the Highworth’s Missing Link thing. Would you or anyone care to write a guest post about it?
Thanks and regards
Born Again Swindonian