City Centre 1 ( The Western Scenic Art Trail )

City Centre 1 ( The Western Scenic Art Trail )

The Inner City of Milton Keynes (Part One Western section)

Si monumentum requiris circumspice. ( If you seek a monument, look about you )
To paraphrase the famous quote " All roads lead to Rome "....In Milton Keynes' case all Redways lead to the City Central...Our founding fathers specifically designed 360 degree access by creating designated cycle routes. These utilise underpasses and overpasses to avoid main thoroughfares. This facilitates safe passage to, from and in the very heart of this great "city". I say "city" but in reality, Milton Keynes is officially a town, but nevertheless, to its proud residents, it is regarded as a city.
To follow my Redway journey, a big help would be a Milton Keynes Redway Guide, which is available in a handy pocket size from the Council Offices, The Parks Trust and many local cycle shops and hotels, or you can download your map from the web. As a word of caution, when navigating through the city centre, always proceed alongside buildings. Sometimes following a pavement in a parking area leads to dead ends or long drops which don't do much good to most mobility scooters.
On gaining ingress to the inner sanctum,as it were, this ramble is basically an art trail broken up into West,Central and Eastern sections.

Milton Keynes Western Section

The Western Section covers from the Milton Keynes Central Railway Station up to Saxon Gate (V7)
A good starting point is the sculpture "O Wert Thou in the Cold Blast" by Ronald Rae, which is situated in the open square in front of the railway station. This square is quite large and bleak so the wind whistles around it. In summer it is great but, in winter Brrrrrr...

O Wert Thou in the Cold Blast

Carved in Creetown granite, (7x8x4ft 1200 tons) this sculpture celebrates one of Burns' last poems written for Jessy Lewars, who nursed him during his final illness. The sculpture shows a couple comforting each other in times of trouble. In Milton Keynes, We, the local people, call it "the cuddling couple." (See Historical Notes and Items of Interest for Burns's poem of the same name.)


Now proceed up Midsummer Boulevard on the right hand side pavement, up to and over Upper 2nd Street. Turn right and go a short distance along the pavement which becomes a pathway leading into the delightful Grafton Park.The pathway turns left and follows the waterway wending its way through grassed enclaves bedecked with benches and surrounded by shrubbery. This pathway heads in an easterly direction and ends at a T junction. Turn left and after few yards on the left-hand side, a tall sculpture called "Embrace" stands alone in its own grassy enclave.

Embrace

In 1966. John Wragg's "Embrace" was originally commissioned for Sainsbury's supermarket in the King's Road, London. However, after it had been vandalised a number of times, it was 'rescued' and re-sited in the green of Grafton Park. The sculpture is constructed of two simple arcs, each subtly different; one slender, the other more stocky. These anthropomorphic forms just touch, creating a delicate and charged connection between the two.


Backtrack South along the path which now goes through a covered passageway and then cross over Avebury Boulevard. Turn left and follow the pavement, stopping at the beginning of a fairly large triangular paved area. Across the road (Witan Gate) is Sainsbury Supermarket with its "Glass Facade". There are eleven ever decreasing panels in Autumn shades.

Glass Facade

This is the work of Mel Howse and was completed in March 2009. The use of autumn shading blends in with the Corporate colours of Sainsbury, although I think that this is coincidental (See Historical Notes and Items of Interest).


Continue by crossing Witan Gate and then across to the north side of Avebury Boulevard. Turn right and then take the first passageway on your left between Brasserie Blanc and Aqua which is known as Holkham walk. This leads to the piazza in the Hub square. On reaching the corner of the open square right next to Ziggy,there stands a highly polished stainless steel column. Look over to the diagonal side and outside Encore, you will spot another identical column. These are known as "Lightflow" and are the brainchild of Peter Freeman.

Lightflow

"Lightflow" was installed in 2007 and are two complementary, text reactive, sculptures that reflect the theme of water in the landscape design and the spirit of the surrounding tall glass and steel modernist buildings of the The Hub. "Lightflow" consists of two 4 metre vertical towers of light and mirror stainless steel. Because the sculptures stand facing each other diagonally across the square, they create beacons of light marking the main routes into the piazza and form a visual axis linking the opposite corners of the square. Anyone can choose an animated light sequence by texting one of six commands to the sculptures. The text commands are:- Sparkle, Rainbow, Splash, Blue, Flow, Ripple and the telephone number is:- 07515 004433 All the commands are words that describe aspects of the interaction of light and water. Each command triggers off an animated display of colour and movement that is an artistic interpretation of the word. (See Historical Notes and Items of Interest)


Wow!!!!How amazing....Now head in the direction of the passageway between Encore and Subway, known as Rillaton Walk, which comes out on the south side of Midsummer Boulevard. Turn right and navigate up towards Saxon Street on the pavement running along Cresswell Lane. Keep a lookout for Midsummer Arcade, specifically the Bannatyne Health Club entrance.Turn into this and go straight through until you overlook the beautiful gardens on the floor below.

Bannatyne Garden

Bannatyne Garden

Now look on your left and you will discover a pillar adorned with four wooden carved panels.

Winter Garden Panels

Winter Garden Panels

The Winter Garden Panels by Jeremy Turner, Mark Adams and Christine Tacq are made from sycamore wood and are decorated in water colours.This carved wooden artwork clads an eight by four foot column within the Winter Gardens. Each of the four faces of the column is based on a theme relating to the places within the Winter Garden - the garden, the health club, the restaurant and the milk bar, which was never built.(See Historical Notes and Items of Interest)


Backtrack to Cresswell Lane and head up towards the Shopping Centre. Just before Saxon Street and after the last commercial building, a large open area called Exchange Square springs into view. Here we find the prominent sculpture known as "The Space Between".

The Space Between

"The Space Between",by Ellis O'Connell is in bronze and fibre optics and was commissioned in 1992 by Milton Keynes Development Corporation, (See Historical Notes and Items of Interest)

.
On the same side of Saxon Street, take the underpass and continue in a Northerly direction and the modern structure of the "The Church of Christ the Cornerstone" emerges. It's initial feature is the dome cross which can be seen from any angle.

The Church of Christ the Cornerstone

The Church of Christ the Cornerstone was the first Ecumenical City Centre Church in the United Kingdom. It is well worthwhile stopping and having a look around inside. The chief attributes being the Cross, the Dome Stained Glass and the Altar Ensemble. These are described in some detail below. (See Historical Notes and Items of Interest)


Moving on to the next set of sculptures could be a bit of trial. Let's start with the easy way and that is to hug the paving of the Church and go around to the back ending up at the front of the Guild Hall. The plan is to cross the road to the opposite side to gain access to the park situated there. Sounds simple but if there are cars parked close together it becomes a mission. That being the case, it is best to turn left and meander along for a space to get through or even go to the end of the road returning on the opposite pavement. Once this is accomplished, on entering the garden sculpture 3B series No. 2 can be seen. The pathway is very bumpy, so go slowly for your own comfort. On top of this, access to this sculpture for a closer look, can only be gained by turning at the first right turn, off the pathway.

3B series No 2: Bernard Schottlander.

Now to get to the other sculptures by the same artist, back-track to the entrance path and turn right down the entrance pathway. Again another bumpy journey down the slope and another turn to the right. Travel along and just before the end, turn left and this will give access to get close up to the other two sculptures 2MS series No 4. and 3B Series No 6.

2MS series No 4: Bernard Schottlander.

3B Series No 6: Bernard Schottlander.

These large brightly coloured abstract sculptures are based on simple geometric forms. Their clean lines echo cut across the verticals and horizontals of the surrounding buildings, and their strong colours contrast with the monochrome architecture. .Ironically, although Bernard Schottlander is a German, his surname literally translates into Scotsman (See Historical Notes and Items of Interest).


Once again, backtracking is the only way out. Go back to the second path that you turned right on. Now turn left then immediately right up the slope on another bumpy path to end of the park. Cross the road and continue along the pavement to Silbury Boulevard south side. Proceed up to Saxon road underpass and turn left crossing under Silbury Boulevard. On emerging turn left and make your way a few yards down the pavement and before Norfolk House, the sculpture "Octo" is sited.

Octo

"Octo" by Wendy Taylor in 1980 encompasses stainless steel and water. "Octo's" twisting ribbon of stainless steel makes a figure of eight. The sculpture is based on a Mobius strip, a mathematical term describing a continuous surface created by twisting a long rectangular strip through 180 degrees and joining the ends. This form does not have an inside or an outside.


There are two other interesting art structures which have been placed by the Landscapers/Developers and consequently do not have a name. Although they are not classified by the Milton Keynes Arts Department, you may like to view them when you are in the area, The first one is on Midsummer Boulevard between Chiquita and Wetherspoons and it is a petal-like sculpture. (Pictured below)

petal

The second one is behind Sainsbury's where there is a pedestrian access arcade and therein stands a large unusual fountain, from which water flows from the top of a metallic sphere. This sits on gravel atop a wooden pedestal. (Pictured below) It was made in Derbyshire and commissioned in 2007. The shine on the sphere dramatically captures and reflects its surrounds.

Sphere Fountain

This concludes the Western journey and now we move on to explore the Central Section

Historical Notes and Items of Interest : Western Section

It is not always the artefact that impresses but the story allied and/or alluded to it.
Burns Poem : "O Wert Thou in the Cold Blast"
O wert thou in the cauld blast,
On yonder lea, on yonder lea,
My plaidie to the angry airt,
I'd shelter thee, I'd shelter thee;
Or did misfortune's bitter storms,
Around thee blaw, around thee blaw,
They bield should be my bosom,
To share it a', to share it a'.
Robert Burns
A plaque of the poem in braille accompanies the work. Purchased following a major exhibition of Rae's work in the city from 1995-1999.

"Sainsbury Glass Facade"

Mel Howse's work in glass has sought to embrace a wide audience. Her vitreous art installations ranging from schools and places of worship, to hospitals, livery companies and a Sainsbury's superstore, have explored all kinds of briefs in an adventurous and progressive way. Whether allied to new building design or ancient architecture, she has crossed the boundaries of both historical glazing techniques and emerging glass technology – often teaming the two.

"Lightflow"

Peter Freeman lives in West Cornwall on the Penwith Penninsula surrounded by water. He is continually inspired by the beautiful shifting colours that are created as sunlight is reflected between the sky and the sea.
For "lightflow", he wanted to express this sensory emotion of light and water using new digital LED lights, computer controls and SMS text messaging. This is the first time he has used a digital LED pixel system with SMS messaging. This has allowed him amazing control to make some really beautiful animations. The sculptures face each other diagonally across the square. In default, the light colours mirror each other, but he has also programmed the lights so that for some of the text message animations, the lights on each column are doing different things, creating an interesting dialogue of light between the sculptures across the square. This is the first time he has used a digital LED pixel system with SMS messaging.
The Hub Milton Keynes was officially opened by HRH the Queen and Peter Freeman had the honour of demonstrating how the sculptures worked.

For further info go to http://www.peterfreeman.co.uk/thehub.htm

The Winter Garden Panels

Commissioned by Livingwell Ltd to celebrate the opening, by the Duchess of York, of the Milton Keynes Winter Gardens in 1989. Christine Tacq, printmaker,was invited to design a commemorative plaque for this event. More used to small etching plates, she called Jeremy Turner in to help when told how big they wanted it to be, and that it was to be wrapped around four walls of a pillar. With the help of Mark Adams, cabinet maker, they had just less than six weeks from Christmas 1988 to 30th January, to design the panels, do all the drawing, the carving, painting and the installing. We are told that they all went home at about 4 am to get some sleep before the official opening at 11.00am on the day.
The Duchess, possibly expecting something small, engraved and in brass, looked totally awe struck when she let the concealing curtain fall, and stared up at the eight foot high carved wood panels.

"The Space Between"

Eilis O' Connell was born in Derry, N. Ireland in 1953. She studied at the Crawford School of Art, Cork. (1970 - 74), Massachusetts College of Art, Boston ( 1974-1975) and Crawford School of Art (1975-77) where she received the only award for Distinction in Sculpture that year.
For further info go to eilisoconnell.com

"The Church of Christ the Cornerstone"

The Church of Christ of the Cornerstone is Britain's first purpose-built ecumenical city church. There are covenants which bring together the Church of England, the Baptist Union, the Methodist Church, the Roman Catholic Church and the United Reformed Church, in a partnership which was seen as an important step forward for the Ecumenical movement in the UK. The church is 101 feet high while the cross rises a further 18 feet, making it the highest point in Milton Keynes. The Dome is 66 feet in diameter and nearly 40 foot high. It is half the size of the famous dome of St Paul's Cathedral in London. The building sits on a raised plinth, the dome is finished in lead, the floors are oak and it has marbled columns. It has the unusual feature of a cascade of water over a granite wall in the baptistry. Untraditionally the altar faces south instead of east. The church has fine acoustics and is a beautiful setting to hear live music. Principally, it is a place of worship but it is also a centre for concerts, recitals, exhibitions and drama in Milton Keynes.

City Church Cross

The City Church Cross is the work of Alan Evans born in Stroud in Gloucestershire. Made of steel and erected in 1992, this simple cross can be viewed from 360º and consists of 8 blades wrapped together. The artist reflects the ecumenical nature of the church – ‘the coming together of different denominations, the binding together of the elements whilst still retaining their individual identity.

Dome Stained Glass

The Dome Stained Glass by Alexander Beleschenko, who won a competition to design and manufacture a series of architectural glass panels for this new ecumenical church in Milton Keynes. His abstract panels encircle the dome of the building incorporating focal images of a cross and the burning bush. Beleschenko says the intention of his work is 'to uplift the spirit, to create a sense of inspiration and mystery'. Within the work is 'a series of visual clues' to references within the scriptures... a major symbol is water and the ceremony associated with it.' The glass was worked in an innovative way, using a combination of techniques to modify the glass surface, making it responsive to the ever-changing lighting conditions. installed 1992.

Altar Ensemble

The Altar table and the Pulpit on the dais are made from polished "rosa porrino" granite. The stone was quarried in north west Spain, cut and shaped in Italy and finished and polished by specialist masons in Torquay, England. Amazingly the altar table and pulpit are capable of being moved with one hand on the dais by use of compressed air, using the hovercraft principle. There are many other Aspects and Artefacts, too numerous to mention here, but are explained and illustrated in a well constructed and comprehensive booklet obtainable from the church.

Bernard Schottlander. (1924–1999)

"Sculpture is the art of silence, of objects that must speak for themselves"

Bernard Schottlander was born in Mainz, Germany in 1924 and came as a Jewish refugee to Leeds in 1939. During the war he worked in a factory as a welder, before taking a course in Sculpture at Leeds College of Art and subsequently with the help of a bursary at the Anglo-French art centre in St John’s Wood. He studied sculpture for a year in London, and his training as a welder influenced his work heavily. Bernard Schottlander described himself as a designer for interiors and a sculptor for exteriors.
In 1963 he decided to concentrate solely on sculpture and from 1965 he taught metalwork at St Martins School.

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By : Fred Davies On 08:18

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The Inner City of Milton Keynes (Part One Western section)

Si monumentum requiris circumspice. ( If you seek a monument, look about you )
To paraphrase the famous quote " All roads lead to Rome "....In Milton Keynes' case all Redways lead to the City Central...Our founding fathers specifically designed 360 degree access by creating designated cycle routes. These utilise underpasses and overpasses to avoid main thoroughfares. This facilitates safe passage to, from and in the very heart of this great "city". I say "city" but in reality, Milton Keynes is officially a town, but nevertheless, to its proud residents, it is regarded as a city.
To follow my Redway journey, a big help would be a Milton Keynes Redway Guide, which is available in a handy pocket size from the Council Offices, The Parks Trust and many local cycle shops and hotels, or you can download your map from the web. As a word of caution, when navigating through the city centre, always proceed alongside buildings. Sometimes following a pavement in a parking area leads to dead ends or long drops which don't do much good to most mobility scooters.
On gaining ingress to the inner sanctum,as it were, this ramble is basically an art trail broken up into West,Central and Eastern sections.

Milton Keynes Western Section

The Western Section covers from the Milton Keynes Central Railway Station up to Saxon Gate (V7)
A good starting point is the sculpture "O Wert Thou in the Cold Blast" by Ronald Rae, which is situated in the open square in front of the railway station. This square is quite large and bleak so the wind whistles around it. In summer it is great but, in winter Brrrrrr...

O Wert Thou in the Cold Blast

Carved in Creetown granite, (7x8x4ft 1200 tons) this sculpture celebrates one of Burns' last poems written for Jessy Lewars, who nursed him during his final illness. The sculpture shows a couple comforting each other in times of trouble. In Milton Keynes, We, the local people, call it "the cuddling couple." (See Historical Notes and Items of Interest for Burns's poem of the same name.)


Now proceed up Midsummer Boulevard on the right hand side pavement, up to and over Upper 2nd Street. Turn right and go a short distance along the pavement which becomes a pathway leading into the delightful Grafton Park.The pathway turns left and follows the waterway wending its way through grassed enclaves bedecked with benches and surrounded by shrubbery. This pathway heads in an easterly direction and ends at a T junction. Turn left and after few yards on the left-hand side, a tall sculpture called "Embrace" stands alone in its own grassy enclave.

Embrace

In 1966. John Wragg's "Embrace" was originally commissioned for Sainsbury's supermarket in the King's Road, London. However, after it had been vandalised a number of times, it was 'rescued' and re-sited in the green of Grafton Park. The sculpture is constructed of two simple arcs, each subtly different; one slender, the other more stocky. These anthropomorphic forms just touch, creating a delicate and charged connection between the two.


Backtrack South along the path which now goes through a covered passageway and then cross over Avebury Boulevard. Turn left and follow the pavement, stopping at the beginning of a fairly large triangular paved area. Across the road (Witan Gate) is Sainsbury Supermarket with its "Glass Facade". There are eleven ever decreasing panels in Autumn shades.

Glass Facade

This is the work of Mel Howse and was completed in March 2009. The use of autumn shading blends in with the Corporate colours of Sainsbury, although I think that this is coincidental (See Historical Notes and Items of Interest).


Continue by crossing Witan Gate and then across to the north side of Avebury Boulevard. Turn right and then take the first passageway on your left between Brasserie Blanc and Aqua which is known as Holkham walk. This leads to the piazza in the Hub square. On reaching the corner of the open square right next to Ziggy,there stands a highly polished stainless steel column. Look over to the diagonal side and outside Encore, you will spot another identical column. These are known as "Lightflow" and are the brainchild of Peter Freeman.

Lightflow

"Lightflow" was installed in 2007 and are two complementary, text reactive, sculptures that reflect the theme of water in the landscape design and the spirit of the surrounding tall glass and steel modernist buildings of the The Hub. "Lightflow" consists of two 4 metre vertical towers of light and mirror stainless steel. Because the sculptures stand facing each other diagonally across the square, they create beacons of light marking the main routes into the piazza and form a visual axis linking the opposite corners of the square. Anyone can choose an animated light sequence by texting one of six commands to the sculptures. The text commands are:- Sparkle, Rainbow, Splash, Blue, Flow, Ripple and the telephone number is:- 07515 004433 All the commands are words that describe aspects of the interaction of light and water. Each command triggers off an animated display of colour and movement that is an artistic interpretation of the word. (See Historical Notes and Items of Interest)


Wow!!!!How amazing....Now head in the direction of the passageway between Encore and Subway, known as Rillaton Walk, which comes out on the south side of Midsummer Boulevard. Turn right and navigate up towards Saxon Street on the pavement running along Cresswell Lane. Keep a lookout for Midsummer Arcade, specifically the Bannatyne Health Club entrance.Turn into this and go straight through until you overlook the beautiful gardens on the floor below.

Bannatyne Garden

Bannatyne Garden

Now look on your left and you will discover a pillar adorned with four wooden carved panels.

Winter Garden Panels

Winter Garden Panels

The Winter Garden Panels by Jeremy Turner, Mark Adams and Christine Tacq are made from sycamore wood and are decorated in water colours.This carved wooden artwork clads an eight by four foot column within the Winter Gardens. Each of the four faces of the column is based on a theme relating to the places within the Winter Garden - the garden, the health club, the restaurant and the milk bar, which was never built.(See Historical Notes and Items of Interest)


Backtrack to Cresswell Lane and head up towards the Shopping Centre. Just before Saxon Street and after the last commercial building, a large open area called Exchange Square springs into view. Here we find the prominent sculpture known as "The Space Between".

The Space Between

"The Space Between",by Ellis O'Connell is in bronze and fibre optics and was commissioned in 1992 by Milton Keynes Development Corporation, (See Historical Notes and Items of Interest)

.
On the same side of Saxon Street, take the underpass and continue in a Northerly direction and the modern structure of the "The Church of Christ the Cornerstone" emerges. It's initial feature is the dome cross which can be seen from any angle.

The Church of Christ the Cornerstone

The Church of Christ the Cornerstone was the first Ecumenical City Centre Church in the United Kingdom. It is well worthwhile stopping and having a look around inside. The chief attributes being the Cross, the Dome Stained Glass and the Altar Ensemble. These are described in some detail below. (See Historical Notes and Items of Interest)


Moving on to the next set of sculptures could be a bit of trial. Let's start with the easy way and that is to hug the paving of the Church and go around to the back ending up at the front of the Guild Hall. The plan is to cross the road to the opposite side to gain access to the park situated there. Sounds simple but if there are cars parked close together it becomes a mission. That being the case, it is best to turn left and meander along for a space to get through or even go to the end of the road returning on the opposite pavement. Once this is accomplished, on entering the garden sculpture 3B series No. 2 can be seen. The pathway is very bumpy, so go slowly for your own comfort. On top of this, access to this sculpture for a closer look, can only be gained by turning at the first right turn, off the pathway.

3B series No 2: Bernard Schottlander.

Now to get to the other sculptures by the same artist, back-track to the entrance path and turn right down the entrance pathway. Again another bumpy journey down the slope and another turn to the right. Travel along and just before the end, turn left and this will give access to get close up to the other two sculptures 2MS series No 4. and 3B Series No 6.

2MS series No 4: Bernard Schottlander.

3B Series No 6: Bernard Schottlander.

These large brightly coloured abstract sculptures are based on simple geometric forms. Their clean lines echo cut across the verticals and horizontals of the surrounding buildings, and their strong colours contrast with the monochrome architecture. .Ironically, although Bernard Schottlander is a German, his surname literally translates into Scotsman (See Historical Notes and Items of Interest).


Once again, backtracking is the only way out. Go back to the second path that you turned right on. Now turn left then immediately right up the slope on another bumpy path to end of the park. Cross the road and continue along the pavement to Silbury Boulevard south side. Proceed up to Saxon road underpass and turn left crossing under Silbury Boulevard. On emerging turn left and make your way a few yards down the pavement and before Norfolk House, the sculpture "Octo" is sited.

Octo

"Octo" by Wendy Taylor in 1980 encompasses stainless steel and water. "Octo's" twisting ribbon of stainless steel makes a figure of eight. The sculpture is based on a Mobius strip, a mathematical term describing a continuous surface created by twisting a long rectangular strip through 180 degrees and joining the ends. This form does not have an inside or an outside.


There are two other interesting art structures which have been placed by the Landscapers/Developers and consequently do not have a name. Although they are not classified by the Milton Keynes Arts Department, you may like to view them when you are in the area, The first one is on Midsummer Boulevard between Chiquita and Wetherspoons and it is a petal-like sculpture. (Pictured below)

petal

The second one is behind Sainsbury's where there is a pedestrian access arcade and therein stands a large unusual fountain, from which water flows from the top of a metallic sphere. This sits on gravel atop a wooden pedestal. (Pictured below) It was made in Derbyshire and commissioned in 2007. The shine on the sphere dramatically captures and reflects its surrounds.

Sphere Fountain

This concludes the Western journey and now we move on to explore the Central Section

Historical Notes and Items of Interest : Western Section

It is not always the artefact that impresses but the story allied and/or alluded to it.
Burns Poem : "O Wert Thou in the Cold Blast"
O wert thou in the cauld blast,
On yonder lea, on yonder lea,
My plaidie to the angry airt,
I'd shelter thee, I'd shelter thee;
Or did misfortune's bitter storms,
Around thee blaw, around thee blaw,
They bield should be my bosom,
To share it a', to share it a'.
Robert Burns
A plaque of the poem in braille accompanies the work. Purchased following a major exhibition of Rae's work in the city from 1995-1999.

"Sainsbury Glass Facade"

Mel Howse's work in glass has sought to embrace a wide audience. Her vitreous art installations ranging from schools and places of worship, to hospitals, livery companies and a Sainsbury's superstore, have explored all kinds of briefs in an adventurous and progressive way. Whether allied to new building design or ancient architecture, she has crossed the boundaries of both historical glazing techniques and emerging glass technology – often teaming the two.

"Lightflow"

Peter Freeman lives in West Cornwall on the Penwith Penninsula surrounded by water. He is continually inspired by the beautiful shifting colours that are created as sunlight is reflected between the sky and the sea.
For "lightflow", he wanted to express this sensory emotion of light and water using new digital LED lights, computer controls and SMS text messaging. This is the first time he has used a digital LED pixel system with SMS messaging. This has allowed him amazing control to make some really beautiful animations. The sculptures face each other diagonally across the square. In default, the light colours mirror each other, but he has also programmed the lights so that for some of the text message animations, the lights on each column are doing different things, creating an interesting dialogue of light between the sculptures across the square. This is the first time he has used a digital LED pixel system with SMS messaging.
The Hub Milton Keynes was officially opened by HRH the Queen and Peter Freeman had the honour of demonstrating how the sculptures worked.

For further info go to http://www.peterfreeman.co.uk/thehub.htm

The Winter Garden Panels

Commissioned by Livingwell Ltd to celebrate the opening, by the Duchess of York, of the Milton Keynes Winter Gardens in 1989. Christine Tacq, printmaker,was invited to design a commemorative plaque for this event. More used to small etching plates, she called Jeremy Turner in to help when told how big they wanted it to be, and that it was to be wrapped around four walls of a pillar. With the help of Mark Adams, cabinet maker, they had just less than six weeks from Christmas 1988 to 30th January, to design the panels, do all the drawing, the carving, painting and the installing. We are told that they all went home at about 4 am to get some sleep before the official opening at 11.00am on the day.
The Duchess, possibly expecting something small, engraved and in brass, looked totally awe struck when she let the concealing curtain fall, and stared up at the eight foot high carved wood panels.

"The Space Between"

Eilis O' Connell was born in Derry, N. Ireland in 1953. She studied at the Crawford School of Art, Cork. (1970 - 74), Massachusetts College of Art, Boston ( 1974-1975) and Crawford School of Art (1975-77) where she received the only award for Distinction in Sculpture that year.
For further info go to eilisoconnell.com

"The Church of Christ the Cornerstone"

The Church of Christ of the Cornerstone is Britain's first purpose-built ecumenical city church. There are covenants which bring together the Church of England, the Baptist Union, the Methodist Church, the Roman Catholic Church and the United Reformed Church, in a partnership which was seen as an important step forward for the Ecumenical movement in the UK. The church is 101 feet high while the cross rises a further 18 feet, making it the highest point in Milton Keynes. The Dome is 66 feet in diameter and nearly 40 foot high. It is half the size of the famous dome of St Paul's Cathedral in London. The building sits on a raised plinth, the dome is finished in lead, the floors are oak and it has marbled columns. It has the unusual feature of a cascade of water over a granite wall in the baptistry. Untraditionally the altar faces south instead of east. The church has fine acoustics and is a beautiful setting to hear live music. Principally, it is a place of worship but it is also a centre for concerts, recitals, exhibitions and drama in Milton Keynes.

City Church Cross

The City Church Cross is the work of Alan Evans born in Stroud in Gloucestershire. Made of steel and erected in 1992, this simple cross can be viewed from 360º and consists of 8 blades wrapped together. The artist reflects the ecumenical nature of the church – ‘the coming together of different denominations, the binding together of the elements whilst still retaining their individual identity.

Dome Stained Glass

The Dome Stained Glass by Alexander Beleschenko, who won a competition to design and manufacture a series of architectural glass panels for this new ecumenical church in Milton Keynes. His abstract panels encircle the dome of the building incorporating focal images of a cross and the burning bush. Beleschenko says the intention of his work is 'to uplift the spirit, to create a sense of inspiration and mystery'. Within the work is 'a series of visual clues' to references within the scriptures... a major symbol is water and the ceremony associated with it.' The glass was worked in an innovative way, using a combination of techniques to modify the glass surface, making it responsive to the ever-changing lighting conditions. installed 1992.

Altar Ensemble

The Altar table and the Pulpit on the dais are made from polished "rosa porrino" granite. The stone was quarried in north west Spain, cut and shaped in Italy and finished and polished by specialist masons in Torquay, England. Amazingly the altar table and pulpit are capable of being moved with one hand on the dais by use of compressed air, using the hovercraft principle. There are many other Aspects and Artefacts, too numerous to mention here, but are explained and illustrated in a well constructed and comprehensive booklet obtainable from the church.

Bernard Schottlander. (1924–1999)

"Sculpture is the art of silence, of objects that must speak for themselves"

Bernard Schottlander was born in Mainz, Germany in 1924 and came as a Jewish refugee to Leeds in 1939. During the war he worked in a factory as a welder, before taking a course in Sculpture at Leeds College of Art and subsequently with the help of a bursary at the Anglo-French art centre in St John’s Wood. He studied sculpture for a year in London, and his training as a welder influenced his work heavily. Bernard Schottlander described himself as a designer for interiors and a sculptor for exteriors.
In 1963 he decided to concentrate solely on sculpture and from 1965 he taught metalwork at St Martins School.

Wolverton to Newport Pagnell Old Railway Line

Wolverton to Newport Pagnell Old Railway Line

To follow my Redway journey, a big help would be a Milton Keynes Redway Guide, which is available in a handy pocket size pamphlet from the Council Offices, The Parks Trust and many local cycle shops and hotels, or you can download your map from the web.

The historic railway from Wolverton to Newport Pagnell has been converted into a great, almost level, Redway. We actually start from the "Secret Garden" in Wolverton, follow the Grand Union Canal for a short while and then link up on the original route of  the railway line adjoining Blue Bridge Estate. We continue and cross Grafton Street (V6) next to the Grand Union canal and pass the old windmill in Bradville and run through Bradville/New Bradwell and onwards alongside the borders of Stantonbury/Oakridge Park, Great Linford and Giffard Park before entering Newport Pagnell.

On this route (West to East), various interesting scenic and historical observations abound. Of all the mobility rambles, this one is the most varied due to the number of sights over the duration.The complete distance is about 4/5 miles. (7/8 Km.)

The best way to get to our starting point is to proceed along Stratford Road (Main road through Wolverton) in an easterly direction towards the Wolverton railway station. Cross over the access road leading to Tesco and continue a short distance (About 200 yards) along the narrow pavement until you espy a bus stop on the opposite side of the road.
Cross over and backtrack some 50 yards to a paved road branching downhill to  the left. A short distance on you will see the heralded  entrance to the "Secret Garden".

                                                                  "Secret Garden"

Just inside the entrance and after a few yards you will come upon an embedded large map showing the layout of the garden. (See Historical Background)

Secret Garden Map

                                                       
There are many sights to see and are eminently reachable on the scooter, so I suggest that you follow them in this order

This is the view looking towards the canal and shows the foundation area in which there the several inlaid floor mosaics are.

Paved area with Mosaics

                                                   
Some of the inlaid mosaics were created by local groups to promote long lasting art at the site.(See Historical Background)

The scales in the kitchen

The Mangle in the scullery

A view of the Garden from the canal path

From the canal

The gardens has a variety of vegetation and last time I was here, I noticed a family enjoying a picnic in this idyllic spot, which was bathed in glorious sunshine.

Picnic area

                                                         
From the main house foundations take the upper path through the woodland and you will come across the sculpture of the couple sitting on a bench. Their demeanour indicating that they were reflecting on the serenity, the solitude and the beauty of their surroundings.

The seated couple

This object D'art was constructed by the pupils of Radcliffe School and artist Paul Smith along with and under the guidance of the late Bill Billings, who incidentally assisted the artist Liz Leyh to construct the concrete cows.(See Historical Background)

Just a little way along the path towards the canal and to the right is a stone circle.
I'm not sure if this modern man made or forms part the original Ley system of Milton Keynes.
 Sian Lake and Jackie are going to investigate and will let us know in due course. (See Historical Background)

 Stone Circle

                                                               
Now go left to the canal path and with the Grand Union on your left proceed down the path and be suprised by the impressive 100 metre train mural on a wall overlooking the canal. It is a feature admired by the boats that glide by daily. Some often stop admire and photograph this very unusual feature This is the work of the late Bill Billings and is now maintained by his son.
It is best viewed from the other side but this is part of another ramble.

 Train Mural 

                                               
The path past the mural is quite narrow but at the end, we go through a tunnel under the railway line which is even narrower.It is quite dark and dank and emerges again next ro the canal.

Rail underpass tunnel

We travel a little way next to the canal and then branch right into a pastoral area before linking up on the original railway line path. Alongside, in winter, we can see some of the Blue Bridge estate but this melts away as we make progress towards the bridge crossing Grafton Street. Parallel to our bridge, on the left, one can see the Grand Union canal viaduct also crossing over Grafton Street. (V6).

Viaduct over Grafton Street

Crossing the road  on the right, in a little grassed area, is the  restored and working,  (not in current use)  Bradwell Windmill. (See Historical Background)

Restored Windmill

A few yards into the Railway Walk, on the right-hand side, the towering Windmill imposes itself with  its shear size.

Windmill from Railway Walk

A little further on, We go past all that remains of the original platform at Bradwell Halt, which is not quite yet overgrown, but is almost completely overshadowed by the impressive trees and foliage.

Old platform at Bradwell Halt

Our Railway walk redway journey takes us through some striking woodland and forest area which abound with squirrels and bird life and this picture taken in New Bradwell, is quite  typical of the terrain we are now passing through.

Through the New Bradwell woodlands

Continuing, Railway Walk runs alongside the Grand Union canal at New Bradwell/Bradville and a little way on, there is an access way to the Canal leading to a clearing and a children's playground, which is overlooked by a new estate on the border of New Bradwell.

Canal and playground

From this point, it veers away to go through the Saxon Street underpass and continues through old woodlands near Stantonbury. We also pass a narrow access branch on the left, which leads to a concealed cemetery.

Just before the junction of the Stantonbury Redway, Stonepit field emerges. This comprises a small lake and a section of quite large park land. During Summer and the beginning of Autumn, a grey heron has often been sighted there . It is also a favourite spot for dog walkers from the adjoining estate.  (See Historical Background)

Stonepit field and pond

Continuing through the woodlands, these briefly give way to an old iron railway bridge crossing the Grand Union canal at Great  Linford.

Old Iron railway bridge from the redway

Access is available to the left bank pathway . The right bank is accessible on foot.

Old Iron railway bridge from the canal

The right bank (As per photo below) leads to "The Black Horse" Pub not more than a hundred yards away, although it is concealed from the bridge by the trees and foliage of Great Linford forest..

Grand Union canal at Great Linford

Proceeding over the canal at Great Linford, we enter and pass through the impressive Great Linford woodland/forest and some way on, a bench made from railway sleepers is positioned at the side of the Redway.

Railway sleeper bench

Behind the bench is a drop-off and a small man made waterfall can be viewed on the edge of a backwater . This does not run  when the weather is dry.

Further on,in the middle of nowhere, a stone bridge comes into view . It appears to span a gully which spills onto a paddock where horses graze on the lush grass.

Bridge over pedestrian underpass edge of Linford forest

Take time to stop on top of the bridge and in the distance, one of the Great Linford lakes can be viewed.

Lakes beyond pasture

The next item of interest is the disused platform of Great Linford, which is located immediately after the underpass of Marsh Drive and forms the boundary of Giffard Park . This has been refurbished in stark contrast to Bradwell Halt.

Old platform Great Linford

Passing through Giffard Park, additional paddocks and farm fields can be observed giving that distinctly rural feel.

Horses taking in the sun

On reaching the M1 under-pass, one enters the suburbia of Newport Pagnell and the remaining items of interest are a signal tower.

Restored Signal tower

and a plaque commemorating the disused rail link.

Commemorative plaque

Sadly, the old station at NewPort Pagnell was  demolished to make way for an Estate.

Finally, the whole route is bordered by so many trees of one kind or another, giving a countryside feel and the full length of the Railway Walk is street lamp illuminated.

There are several Redway branches off  this route to/from all the estates mentioned although these tend to be hidden from view.

Now I'm off to do another  rambling blog, meanwhile I hope you enjoyed this and hope you have Happy Rambling!!!.....

Historical Background

The Wolverton to Newport Pagnell Line was a railway branch line in Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom running from Wolverton on the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) (today's West Coast Main Line) to Newport Pagnell . The line fully opened to passengers in 1867 . The train was affectionately known as "Nobby Newport"

Competition from road traffic starting in the early twentieth century put pressure on the railway, and it was later a victim of the Beeching axe in 1962 . The line was seen as unprofitable, and it closed to passengers in 1964, and to goods traffic in 1967 . Part of the trackbed today provides a section of the Milton Keynes Redway system.

Secret Garden

All you need to know can be found on the very comprehensive interesting website:-
http://www.wolvertonsecretgarden.co.uk.btck.co.uk/

Secret Garden Mosaics and how they came about
http://www.wolvertonsecretgarden.co.uk.btck.co.uk/Mosaics

The Bench Couple and also about Bill Billings's contribution to the Secret Garden
http://www.livingarchive.org.uk/content/local-history/areas/wolverton/bill-billings-and-the-secret-garden-sculpture

For more info Stone circles and Leys in Milton Keynes go to http://sianandjackie.blogspot.co.uk/

Bradwell Windmill

Bradwell Windmill was built in 1817 from local limestone and used as a mill until 1871. Of particular interest is the early use of the universal joint enabling the sails to face in the wind direction.

Stonepit Field

Stonepit Field gets its name from the nearby small limestone quarry, long disused, from which some of the oldest buildings in Great Linford were sourced.

In 2008 The Parks Trust undertook an extensive drainage and landscape remodelling project in partnership with Persimmon Homes . Two ponds were created to help control flood water and create new wetland habitat for birds, frogs, newts and dragonflies by storing rain water from the new development at Stantonbury Park Farm . The ponds have improved and increased the wildlife diversity of the area and provide valuable, new wetland areas for aquatic and semi-aquatic species . The new planting has also provided food and shelter for an increased number of bird species.

Stonepit Field's wildflower meadow is home to a colony of small blue butterflies and is the only park in Milton Keynes in which you will be able to see them.

Railway Anecdotes

An acquaintance recounted that when he was a resident of Wolverton in his youth, the only swimming pool in the area was at Newport Pagnell and when he and his friends were able, they would catch "Nobby Newport" for one penny each way.

He also mentioned that residents in Bradville and Great Linford used the line as a means of commuting to work in the rail-yards of Wolverton.

The last passenger service was the 5:34 pm train from Newport Pagnell on 5 September 1964, just under a century after the line opened to passengers . The mourning of the line was so great that a bucket of water was poured over a double dressed as Richard Beeching, the man commonly associated with the closure of over 4,000 miles of the British railway network . The crowd cheered as this happened, a mark of the publics' feelings about the closure.

Oh Dr . Beeching!

Oh Dr . Beeching, you've made your mark
We used to go to Wolverton,via New Brad'll and Giffard Park
Take me back to Newport, Great Linford's on the way
Oh Nobby Newport, I wish you were here today.

Anon.

Read More

By : Fred Davies On 04:25

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To follow my Redway journey, a big help would be a Milton Keynes Redway Guide, which is available in a handy pocket size pamphlet from the Council Offices, The Parks Trust and many local cycle shops and hotels, or you can download your map from the web.

The historic railway from Wolverton to Newport Pagnell has been converted into a great, almost level, Redway. We actually start from the "Secret Garden" in Wolverton, follow the Grand Union Canal for a short while and then link up on the original route of  the railway line adjoining Blue Bridge Estate. We continue and cross Grafton Street (V6) next to the Grand Union canal and pass the old windmill in Bradville and run through Bradville/New Bradwell and onwards alongside the borders of Stantonbury/Oakridge Park, Great Linford and Giffard Park before entering Newport Pagnell.

On this route (West to East), various interesting scenic and historical observations abound. Of all the mobility rambles, this one is the most varied due to the number of sights over the duration.The complete distance is about 4/5 miles. (7/8 Km.)

The best way to get to our starting point is to proceed along Stratford Road (Main road through Wolverton) in an easterly direction towards the Wolverton railway station. Cross over the access road leading to Tesco and continue a short distance (About 200 yards) along the narrow pavement until you espy a bus stop on the opposite side of the road.
Cross over and backtrack some 50 yards to a paved road branching downhill to  the left. A short distance on you will see the heralded  entrance to the "Secret Garden".

                                                                  "Secret Garden"

Just inside the entrance and after a few yards you will come upon an embedded large map showing the layout of the garden. (See Historical Background)

Secret Garden Map

                                                       
There are many sights to see and are eminently reachable on the scooter, so I suggest that you follow them in this order

This is the view looking towards the canal and shows the foundation area in which there the several inlaid floor mosaics are.

Paved area with Mosaics

                                                   
Some of the inlaid mosaics were created by local groups to promote long lasting art at the site.(See Historical Background)

The scales in the kitchen

The Mangle in the scullery

A view of the Garden from the canal path

From the canal

The gardens has a variety of vegetation and last time I was here, I noticed a family enjoying a picnic in this idyllic spot, which was bathed in glorious sunshine.

Picnic area

                                                         
From the main house foundations take the upper path through the woodland and you will come across the sculpture of the couple sitting on a bench. Their demeanour indicating that they were reflecting on the serenity, the solitude and the beauty of their surroundings.

The seated couple

This object D'art was constructed by the pupils of Radcliffe School and artist Paul Smith along with and under the guidance of the late Bill Billings, who incidentally assisted the artist Liz Leyh to construct the concrete cows.(See Historical Background)

Just a little way along the path towards the canal and to the right is a stone circle.
I'm not sure if this modern man made or forms part the original Ley system of Milton Keynes.
 Sian Lake and Jackie are going to investigate and will let us know in due course. (See Historical Background)

 Stone Circle

                                                               
Now go left to the canal path and with the Grand Union on your left proceed down the path and be suprised by the impressive 100 metre train mural on a wall overlooking the canal. It is a feature admired by the boats that glide by daily. Some often stop admire and photograph this very unusual feature This is the work of the late Bill Billings and is now maintained by his son.
It is best viewed from the other side but this is part of another ramble.

 Train Mural 

                                               
The path past the mural is quite narrow but at the end, we go through a tunnel under the railway line which is even narrower.It is quite dark and dank and emerges again next ro the canal.

Rail underpass tunnel

We travel a little way next to the canal and then branch right into a pastoral area before linking up on the original railway line path. Alongside, in winter, we can see some of the Blue Bridge estate but this melts away as we make progress towards the bridge crossing Grafton Street. Parallel to our bridge, on the left, one can see the Grand Union canal viaduct also crossing over Grafton Street. (V6).

Viaduct over Grafton Street

Crossing the road  on the right, in a little grassed area, is the  restored and working,  (not in current use)  Bradwell Windmill. (See Historical Background)

Restored Windmill

A few yards into the Railway Walk, on the right-hand side, the towering Windmill imposes itself with  its shear size.

Windmill from Railway Walk

A little further on, We go past all that remains of the original platform at Bradwell Halt, which is not quite yet overgrown, but is almost completely overshadowed by the impressive trees and foliage.

Old platform at Bradwell Halt

Our Railway walk redway journey takes us through some striking woodland and forest area which abound with squirrels and bird life and this picture taken in New Bradwell, is quite  typical of the terrain we are now passing through.

Through the New Bradwell woodlands

Continuing, Railway Walk runs alongside the Grand Union canal at New Bradwell/Bradville and a little way on, there is an access way to the Canal leading to a clearing and a children's playground, which is overlooked by a new estate on the border of New Bradwell.

Canal and playground

From this point, it veers away to go through the Saxon Street underpass and continues through old woodlands near Stantonbury. We also pass a narrow access branch on the left, which leads to a concealed cemetery.

Just before the junction of the Stantonbury Redway, Stonepit field emerges. This comprises a small lake and a section of quite large park land. During Summer and the beginning of Autumn, a grey heron has often been sighted there . It is also a favourite spot for dog walkers from the adjoining estate.  (See Historical Background)

Stonepit field and pond

Continuing through the woodlands, these briefly give way to an old iron railway bridge crossing the Grand Union canal at Great  Linford.

Old Iron railway bridge from the redway

Access is available to the left bank pathway . The right bank is accessible on foot.

Old Iron railway bridge from the canal

The right bank (As per photo below) leads to "The Black Horse" Pub not more than a hundred yards away, although it is concealed from the bridge by the trees and foliage of Great Linford forest..

Grand Union canal at Great Linford

Proceeding over the canal at Great Linford, we enter and pass through the impressive Great Linford woodland/forest and some way on, a bench made from railway sleepers is positioned at the side of the Redway.

Railway sleeper bench

Behind the bench is a drop-off and a small man made waterfall can be viewed on the edge of a backwater . This does not run  when the weather is dry.

Further on,in the middle of nowhere, a stone bridge comes into view . It appears to span a gully which spills onto a paddock where horses graze on the lush grass.

Bridge over pedestrian underpass edge of Linford forest

Take time to stop on top of the bridge and in the distance, one of the Great Linford lakes can be viewed.

Lakes beyond pasture

The next item of interest is the disused platform of Great Linford, which is located immediately after the underpass of Marsh Drive and forms the boundary of Giffard Park . This has been refurbished in stark contrast to Bradwell Halt.

Old platform Great Linford

Passing through Giffard Park, additional paddocks and farm fields can be observed giving that distinctly rural feel.

Horses taking in the sun

On reaching the M1 under-pass, one enters the suburbia of Newport Pagnell and the remaining items of interest are a signal tower.

Restored Signal tower

and a plaque commemorating the disused rail link.

Commemorative plaque

Sadly, the old station at NewPort Pagnell was  demolished to make way for an Estate.

Finally, the whole route is bordered by so many trees of one kind or another, giving a countryside feel and the full length of the Railway Walk is street lamp illuminated.

There are several Redway branches off  this route to/from all the estates mentioned although these tend to be hidden from view.

Now I'm off to do another  rambling blog, meanwhile I hope you enjoyed this and hope you have Happy Rambling!!!.....

Historical Background

The Wolverton to Newport Pagnell Line was a railway branch line in Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom running from Wolverton on the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) (today's West Coast Main Line) to Newport Pagnell . The line fully opened to passengers in 1867 . The train was affectionately known as "Nobby Newport"

Competition from road traffic starting in the early twentieth century put pressure on the railway, and it was later a victim of the Beeching axe in 1962 . The line was seen as unprofitable, and it closed to passengers in 1964, and to goods traffic in 1967 . Part of the trackbed today provides a section of the Milton Keynes Redway system.

Secret Garden

All you need to know can be found on the very comprehensive interesting website:-
http://www.wolvertonsecretgarden.co.uk.btck.co.uk/

Secret Garden Mosaics and how they came about
http://www.wolvertonsecretgarden.co.uk.btck.co.uk/Mosaics

The Bench Couple and also about Bill Billings's contribution to the Secret Garden
http://www.livingarchive.org.uk/content/local-history/areas/wolverton/bill-billings-and-the-secret-garden-sculpture

For more info Stone circles and Leys in Milton Keynes go to http://sianandjackie.blogspot.co.uk/

Bradwell Windmill

Bradwell Windmill was built in 1817 from local limestone and used as a mill until 1871. Of particular interest is the early use of the universal joint enabling the sails to face in the wind direction.

Stonepit Field

Stonepit Field gets its name from the nearby small limestone quarry, long disused, from which some of the oldest buildings in Great Linford were sourced.

In 2008 The Parks Trust undertook an extensive drainage and landscape remodelling project in partnership with Persimmon Homes . Two ponds were created to help control flood water and create new wetland habitat for birds, frogs, newts and dragonflies by storing rain water from the new development at Stantonbury Park Farm . The ponds have improved and increased the wildlife diversity of the area and provide valuable, new wetland areas for aquatic and semi-aquatic species . The new planting has also provided food and shelter for an increased number of bird species.

Stonepit Field's wildflower meadow is home to a colony of small blue butterflies and is the only park in Milton Keynes in which you will be able to see them.

Railway Anecdotes

An acquaintance recounted that when he was a resident of Wolverton in his youth, the only swimming pool in the area was at Newport Pagnell and when he and his friends were able, they would catch "Nobby Newport" for one penny each way.

He also mentioned that residents in Bradville and Great Linford used the line as a means of commuting to work in the rail-yards of Wolverton.

The last passenger service was the 5:34 pm train from Newport Pagnell on 5 September 1964, just under a century after the line opened to passengers . The mourning of the line was so great that a bucket of water was poured over a double dressed as Richard Beeching, the man commonly associated with the closure of over 4,000 miles of the British railway network . The crowd cheered as this happened, a mark of the publics' feelings about the closure.

Oh Dr . Beeching!

Oh Dr . Beeching, you've made your mark
We used to go to Wolverton,via New Brad'll and Giffard Park
Take me back to Newport, Great Linford's on the way
Oh Nobby Newport, I wish you were here today.

Anon.