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This community art project was completed in June 2012 for Queen
Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. As part of the cultural activities
celebrating this special occasion Jackson Square wished to bequeath a
sculpture to the town that represented the history of Bishop's Stortford.
Local schools Leventhorpe, St Marys and the Herts and Essex High
School entered the spirit of the challenge and took part in a competition
to create various images that truly reflected our market town’s heritage.
An art gallery was set up in Jackson Square to display the students work
and thousands of people from Bishops Stortford voted for their favourite
designs. Ultimately there were three winners, one from each school.
Local artists Arcangel, leaders in bespoke metalwork, were specially
commissioned to produce the sculpture. They waited with eager
anticipation to see the winning designs and then set about crafting this
beautiful sculpture balancing practicality, simplicity and artistic flair.
The barley ear symbolises Bishops Stortfords bygone industry, making
barley into malt for brewing. Barley can be planted in the Spring and
Autumn where it takes between 60 - 70 days to mature. The crop is ready
to be harvested when the ears flop over and the fields look 'windswept'.
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