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Zoë
Chamberlain
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Title: The Willingham Wing Willingham Art Bus Stop Project
Date: 2007/8
Dimensions: 3.9 x 2.8 x 1.9 m approx
Location: Willingham High Street, South Cambridgeshire
Description: Like worker bees sweeping up pollen from one flower to another, the 15A bus from Willingham departs with commuters from another Cambridgeshire bus stop…or is it?
I was offered the opportunity of designing a bus stop feature with local relevance for the village. Enchanted by the historical association of Willingham’s flower growing and bee keeping traditions, I focused on the relationship between routes the bees used when moving from village to village and the journeys made by local workers on their way to work.
The design incorporates a sweeping wing roof inspired by traditional canopy design. Working in metal for the main structure and polycarbonate for the wing feature, I enlisted the help of co-designer Louise Watson to carry out the detailed technical design.
Complimenting the feature is some unusual floor lighting with embedded designs by artist Dan Donovan and a group of local teenagers - who had an opportunity to learn about a real bit of local history which inspired their final designs.
Materials: Painted and galvanized steel for the main structure and shotblasted polycarbonate canopy
Funded by: David Wilson Homes, SCDC, Awards For All
Organised by: South Cambridgeshire District Council and Willingham Parish Council
Project Background: In 2004 South Cambridgeshire District Council adopted a planning policy requiring landowners to commission artists as part of the creation of new developments. Developers unable to manage such schemes as part of the master planning process can contribute a financial sum, normally through a planning obligation (or section 106) agreement, for a public art scheme for the benefit of local residents.
The strategy has developed a number of artistic interventions in communities across Cambridgeshire. The aim to build a unique identity and atmosphere, encouraging the community to engage with, and take care and ownership of their environment, contributing to dynamic and high quality public spaces.
On this basis,
as part of the Manor Farm development off Willingham High Street, David
Wilson Homes agreed an index-linked contribution. The involvement of local
people on such schemes is a key to success and the Parish Council have
set up the Willingham public art steering group to manage the project
alongside the work of the Project art worker from Start Arts.
