This Ramble is an appreciation of the wonderful beauty of this special park and to highlight the art spread throughout. It is plotted to encompass all the features with a view to minimising backtracking, which
sometimes is
inevitable.
Located at the heart of Milton Keynes, Campbell Park hosts many of Milton Keynes’ major festivals and events. Its imaginative mix of formal gardens, water features, woodland and open pasture, mean it’s an
ideal spot to ramble
through and enjoy the changing seasons.
Below is a schematic map of the Park with various highlights, showing a recommended path to take. Our ramble will roughly take the same route.
We start our ramble at the intersection of Silbury Boulevard and Skeldon gate at the Sculpture of 'Chain Reaction', which was designed by Ray Smith. It represents human-like, silhouette figures, merged into a chain-link design. 'Chain Reaction' was commissioned in 1992 to celebrate the end of the first phase in Milton Keynes’ creation as a new city.
From the pavement, cross over the small patch of grass to the surround base of the sculpture and follow the path, taking the right hand or left hand fork that descends to a crossroad. However, you will
have to pass through a
gate to reach the intersection.
I use a metre long Bungee Cord to hold the gate open, so the scooter can navigate through. It is useful to carry one when rambling, as many rambles in the area have these gates to enclose grazing animals.
Now cross over a
small wooden bridge and at the crossroad turn right. There is a sign post indicating the direction towards the Labyrinth, which is the way we are heading.
Follow a small water course and pass through a small circular pond, after which we negotiate another gate. Then slowly cross over the very narrow water course, which cuts across the pathway. On our right,
we come to a huge
block of Kemnay granite, on which is a carving by Ronald Rae.
This poignant memorial is a requiem to all the animals that have died in wars, in particular horses that died in their millions in World War 1. The soldier in the sculpture with half an arm missing and wearing a
gas mask, is also a
reference to the horrors of chemical warfare.
The work was gifted to the people of Milton Keynes in memory of Edna Egochi Read 1929-2012, who was an artist and pacifist, as well as being an active promoter and champion of public art in Milton Keynes.
Continuing up the hill, you will notice many right hand paths leading off through shrubbery. Any one of these will take you to a secluded area with a bench, some open to the sun and some under the bough of
a tree.
These screened secluded spots provide solitude for a lunch break, a private moment, some meditation or a romantic place to share with a partner. They are accessible by your scooter and worth a visit.
Back to going up the hill, we now crest it and come upon another Ronald Rae Kemnay granite sculpture. This object d'art (on loan since 1997 to Parks Trust) depicts an incapacitated war veteran.
Turn around as though heading back downhill and back track about 10 metres, to a path branching to the right.This will take you up a narrow incline through foliage, where you will emerge in an enclosure housing the Labyrinth.
In the middle of the labyrinth is a sphere with a pole in the centre. This is an armillary sphere with a Gnomon, to tell the time of day by the shadow cast. This is the work of Justin Tunley, 1995.
Now follow the path a short way around the labyrinth and take the branch to the left. Stop just past the information plinth and look over the hedge. On the side of Belvedere hill, you will espy the 'Cave' by Ivan and Heather Morison.
Staying on the path but bearing left, we arrive at a paved circle. On the left is another view of 'The Cave' and on the right is the MK Rose.
Take the right path, which leads us to the circular pathway surrounding this unique monument, which is dedicated for celebration, commemoration and contemplation.
The Rose is a new public space for Milton Keynes where everyone can commemorate, celebrate or remember a special person or event throughout the year. Created by internationally renowned artist Gordon Young, the MK Rose features a calendar of days important to the people of Milton Keynes. These are represented by 105 pillars arranged in the geometric design of a flower. So far, 62 pillars have been inscribed and 43 others have been left for future dedications.
There are many paths from this site, so we need to take the path immediately to the left of where we entered the circular ring. This will take us along to the crest of Belvedere hill. This man made premonitory
was built, utilising
the earth excavated during the initial building of the city.
Go through the gate and an impressive vista emerges. Look to the left and you will see the front of 'The Cave'. Further down the valley is a water course leading into a circular pond often used by the
council sheep, when they
are grazing in this area.
Conversely on the right, some way off, we can make out the events plateau and amphitheatre. However, apart from the breathtaking view on the crest, we can't miss the impressive 'Light Pyramid' by Liliane Lijn. What a lasting tribute for the setting from her talented imagination, especially the design of the lighting within the pyramid which is beamed skyward.
As we go around the structure, the glorious panorama unfolds and for me, this is the 'piece de resistance' of Campbell Park. One cannot help but be captivated by the scenery that stands before one and it has to be seen to be fully appreciated.
And what about the magnificent twilight view, not that we would be there on our scooters, but at least we can admire it pictorially.
Heading back from the Pyramid, we take the path branching to the left and as we descend, we are confronted by the amphitheatre below the events plateau.
The amphitheatre stage can accommodate a full orchestra and grassy tiers can seat up to 5,000 people.
As we continue downwards , we come to unusual round bench smack bang in the middle of the path intersection. Going straight on, we follow the direction of the sign guiding us towards the cricket pavilion /canal. If we are lucky we may see sheep grazing in the adjoining grassland.
We now reach another intersection and right there is an Indian Totem Pole standing tall, as though it was calling on the spirits to help it guard and protect the ancient and hidden secrets of the park.
The beautiful and intricate wood carving by Robert Koenig is amazing and intriguing. It is aptly sited in the woodland range of the park. Being so different, it also gives emphasis to the variety and diversity of the culture inherent in the people that make up Milton Keynes.
As we carry on heading towards the canal, we pass the cricket ground's grassed tiers, situated behind the wicket, to the right of which, is an impressive pavilion overlooking the pristine turf.
Going along side the cricket ground, leads us through a small copse of trees to the next intersection. The path here becomes a circle of cobblestones which look good, but give us a good shaking up as we take a left turn and make our way towards the pavilion. Not far down and just before the building we are overlooked by the Gnomon by Peter Bowker.
The ball in the sculpture appears to hitting middle and leg stump, which are apt due to it's proximity to the cricket ground.
Time to back track to that bone shaking circle, where we turn left and follow the path across the bridge over the road. A little further on at a minor junction, we bear left again and proceed to cross over
another two bone
shaking cobbled sections of this ramble, all the while, going through some lovely shrubbery. Suitably shaken up, (Or "all shook up" in Elvis parlance) we arrive at the intersection where we are confronted with
the 'Head' by pop
artist Allen Jones. One has to circle it to appreciate the structure which is made of steel.
Now for the last leg of our ramble, in search of the circle dance! We turn left at the Head junction and make our way though bushes, shrubbery and grassed areas. We cross the bridge spanning part of the lake, which abounds with ducks, geese and swans, to arrive at the Grand Union Canal. At this point we should be able to see a sculpture made from willow wands, threaded through a structure of steel rods. The picture I had looked like this.
The sculpture resembles a group of figures holding hands in dance, moving so fast that they seem almost to merge into one another.
I searched but could not find it and thought that it must have decayed and subsequently been taken away. So I moved on, but in writing this blog, I was still puzzled. So I returned a few days later and observed a large bush supported by steel rods. Then and only then, did the penny drop. This was a living sculpture, so the willow wands had blossomed into life and this is what it looks like now.
So I guess, we will have to wait until winter to see the dancers again. This moorning of the Grand Union Canal is very popular with permanent narrow boats as well as visiting ones.
The boat colours, names, sizes and personalities all enhance the ambiance of this locale. One of these boats is called 'Moose Drool'. Not exactly an exotic name but interesting never the less.
Opposite Moose Droll is a path that runs all the way back to our starting point and beyond into the city centre.
This brings us to the end of this ramble. It looks short on distance, but it makes up for it with the many fascinating and hidden features we have explored. The diversity of this park make this ramble a
really worthwhile
experience, which is symbolic of the uniqueness of Milton Keynes.
My next ramble is under construction. Till then - Happy Rambling.
I want to thank Sian and Jackie for allowing me to use their pictures of :- The Schematic map - Labyrinth - armillary sphere - cave - MK Rose - Light Pyramid.
They have some great interesting sites and can be located as follows :-
http://sianandjackie.blogspot.co.uk/
http://dowsingdiaries.blogspot.com/
http://orbpics.blogspot.com/
Background Historical/Other
Chain Reaction
Chain Reaction was commissioned for its site in Campbell Park and sponsored by a large number of local developers. It has been designed to be viewed from every angle. Ray Smith describes the work: ‘The basic idea for the sculpture is the simple notion of slotting one flat cutout figure into another, to create a three-dimensional model of figures balanced like acrobats. The forms are simple and universal. The figures that make up the column are links in an endless chain. The structure is large in scale but also refers to tiny self-replicating molecular structures. Chain Reaction pays homage to the Endless Column of Brancusi. It refers to our aspirations, but has it's feet firmly planted on the ground’.
Designed by Ray SmithAnimals in War Memorial & Maimed War Veterans Memorial
Carvings by Ronald Rae - see his interesting website :- Ronald Rae SculptureArmillary sphere
This Armillary sphere was designed in 1995, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Milton Keynes Housing Association & their rebirth as Midsummer Housing. There is some background information at Armillary
Sphere Midsummer Housings' new logo was a sundial, so the fairly open brief was to come up with something related to this. The Labyrinth had been constructed some years earlier & it was considered
alongside several other
locations in Campbell Park. The Labyrinth seemed to cry out for a focal point, & somehow the spherical form felt appropriate.
The unveiling took place on Midsummer’s' day, 1995- you can see the date subliminally cut in the big band around the sphere, in Roman (MCMXCV) & Arab numerals. The 'Gnomon' ( pole in the middle) casts
a shadow on the
inside of this ring, where more Roman numerals give the hours at GMT (upper edge) & British Summer Time (lower edge). This can be out by up to 10 minutes, as the Earth rotates the sun in a slightly elliptical
pattern.
An armillary sphere is a model of the ancient celestial sphere used to fix the positions of heavenly bodies. A central 'gnomon' or shadow caster, runs through the centre of the sphere, parallel to the
earth's axis. The gnomon
casts a vertical shadow over the inside face of the planetary ring running around it. As the earth rotates, the relative positions of the sun, gnomon and planetary ring change, moving the shadow in a clockwise
direction. The
distinctive series of vertical and angled cuts around the planetary ring represent Roman numerals; those on the lower face representing Greenwich mean time, and those on the upper face, British summertime. The
large holes running
along the band's centre mark the hours, the smaller holes represent 10 minute intervals. Justin Tunley is a designer and artist who lives and works in Milton Keynes.
More about Justin Tunley go to Wayland_Tunley
The Cave
This piece was commissioned in 2011 as part of the Campbell Park Public Art plan. The piece celebrates the relationship between Campbell Park and Milton Keynes Gallery and offers a shelter for reflection, story telling and sharing. The piece is constructed of concrete.Designed by Heather & Ivan Morison - see their interesting website :- http://www.morison.info/biography.html
MK Rose
Designed by internationally-renowned artist, Gordon Young ( www.gordonyoung.net ) and commissioned by a partnership of the Milton Keynes Cenotaph Trust, the Milton Keynes Parks Trust and Milton Keynes Council, the MK Rose is available for use by the citizens of Milton Keynes and visitors for many different reasons. You might want to gather to meet like-minded others on 'Valentine's Day' or attend a gathering to celebrate the sunrise on 'Midsummer's Day'. You may want to remember those who have given their lives in war on Armistice Day. Or you may have a more personal day where you wish to remember a loved one. For more info go to https://miltonkeynesrose.org.uk
Light Pyramid
This piece was commissioned in 2012 as part of the Campbell Park public art plan. The piece was commissioned to replace the original basket beacon which was situated on the belvedere but was hit by lightning in 2002 and had to be removed. It was lit for the first time on the Queen’s diamond Jubilee on 4th June 2012 and is currently lit for several hours each evening from dusk onwards. A lightning conductor has been installed to ensure that it does not suffer the same fate as the original beacon!
This is just another piece of art in Milton Keynes fashioned by the great imagination of Liliane Lijn and more details of her talent can be found by going to :- http://www.lilianelijn.com/Amphitheatre and Events Plateau
Campbell Park features a purpose-built open-air stage and amphitheatre, multiple marquee sites with a 5,000-capacity area that can be licensed for outdoor events. Campbell Park is also host to some of the Parks Trust’s 200 events every year, including a World Picnic in July and Proms in Campbell Park in August. For a list of events go to :- https://www.theparkstrust.com/whats-on-in-your-parks/
Onwards and Upwards
The Koenig piece originally on this site, Metropolis, was removed in 2000 as it had deteriorated. Onwards and Upwards was commissioned in 2010 to celebrate the retirement of the Trust’s then chairman, John Duggan and was created by Robert Koening (the original Metropolis artist) as a representation of the growth and development of both the park and the city. The sculpture is carved in sweet chestnut and it was installed in August 2011.
Cricket Gnomon
This piece was commissioned by The Parks Trust in 1994.
A gnomon is the stationary arm that projects the shadow on a sundial, and this sculpture has been designed to act as a shadow caster. A ley-line is thought to run through the centre of Milton Keynes and
the sculpture takes
its reference from this prehistoric track, its form relating to such ancient structures as Stonehenge.
The work was made as a site specific piece and has been constructed of untreated slate, celebrating the beauty of the material in its natural state. The work has also been nick-named the cricket piece due to its resemblance to cricket stumps.
A study of Milton Keynes ley lines are comprehensively covered by Sian and Jackie in their blog. ( https://sianandjackie.blogspot.com/).
'Head'
Created in 1990 by revered pop artist, Allen Jones, Head is a simply constructed yet powerful sculpture in which the artist has used two dimensional silhouettes to create a three dimensional form. The sculpture suggests a tent structure and initially seems to be an entirely abstract piece. However, as the viewer walks round the work, it gradually reveals itself and a human profile becomes apparent. The artist has deliberately constructed the piece to encourage visitors to spend time with it and explore it. The work has been created from corten steel, which weathers over time to create a textured surface.
'Circle Dance'
Circle Dance is a living sculpture, created from fresh willow wands planted and threaded through a structure of steel rods. It was commissioned by Milton Keynes Craft Guild and the Commission for the New Towns for the 1997 Midsummer Art Show and donated to Milton Keynes Parks Trust in 1998 following its original siting on the roof of the Central Business Exchange on Midsummer Boulevard. The sculpture resembles a group of figures holding hands in dance, moving so fast that they seem almost to merge into one another. The steelwork was created by local Blacksmith Tim Ward.
'Moose Drool'
I asked the owners about the rationale behind the name. They said that when they bought the narrow boat as a permanent home in their retirement, they could not come up with a name. However they then spent some time in Canada and when they reached the province of British Columbia, they were introduced to the local brew called Moose Drool.
The rest is now history. My thanks to them for sharing this.
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