Parks and countryside
Sculptures to be unveiled in Walsall Arboretum to commemorate HM Queen Elizabeth II
Published on
Two sculptures are to be unveiled to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at a special event in Walsall Arboretum on Saturday 28 September 2024. Taking place from 12-2pm outside the park’s popular visitor centre, the sculptures will be officially unveiled by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Mrs Louise Bennett OBE.
Commissioned by Walsall Council and created by Julie Edwards and Ron Thompson of Walsall-based arts partnership Planet Art, the artwork features two corgis made from cast metal. They stand on two reclaimed Cornish granite stone plinths incorporating two water bowls for dogs underneath.
The event will feature music from the West Midlands Police Brass Band, and a performance of a poem by local poet Emma Purshouse which has been inspired by informal conversations with park users about what the Arboretum means to them. The day will also feature lots of well-behaved dogs of all shapes and sizes.
“ Following the death of our late Queen we all witnessed the response from the people of Walsall – hundreds of our residents came out and signed the books of condolence, many more laid flowers and others quietly reflected at home with their families and communities.
“In response to the outpouring of emotion – this administration decided that we should have a lasting memorial to the late Queen here in our Borough.
“It is very much hoped that our friendly corgis will be loved by young visitors visiting the Arboretum and that, in years to come, they will bring their own children, and their dogs of course, to say hello as well. “
The surfaces of the two sculptures feature carved flowers and leaves of plants and trees that can be found in the Arboretum. The patterns also reflect King Charles III’s reign by including a rose for England, a shamrock for Northern Ireland, a daffodil for Wales and a thistle for Scotland, all motifs used for the King’s coronation.
“ It’s an absolute pleasure to have been chosen to produce such a special memorial to The Queen and bring this unique vision to life. We hope the sculptures are enjoyed in the Arboretum for generations to come. We’ll miss seeing their faces in our workshop so we’ll have a good reason to visit the Arboretum more often than we already do! “
ENDS.
Notes to editors
Arboretum facts
- Walsall Arboretum celebrates 150 years as a public park this year, but its history lies in the historic core of the park, the site of limestone mines active circa 1770 to 1835
- The Arboretum is part of the UNESCO Black Country Global Geopark
- It comprises 170 acres of green space in and adjacent to Walsall town centre
- It holds a coveted Green Flag Award - one of eleven Green Flags Walsall Council holds for green spaces across the borough
- The Arboretum welcomes well in excess of a million visitors each year
- Walsall Arboretum and Country Park was designated the first Ancient Tree Site in the West Midlands by the Woodland Trust in 2024, a testament to its remarkable collection of veteran and ancient trees
- Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll visited the Arboretum in 1962 on the first official visit of her reign to Walsall where she graciously inspected hundreds of Brownies, Cubs, Guides, Scouts, and other uniformed youth organizations.
- The opening of the Knight's Copse took place in Walsall Arboretum on Friday 28 April 2023. A short ceremony took place at which the (former) Lord Lieutenant of West Midlands, Sir John Crabtree OBE, formally opened the Knight's Copse which was created with donations from members of The Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor to commemorate the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
For more information about Walsall's parks and green spaces, visit: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/parks-and-green-spaces
Planet Art is experienced in creating work for the public realm and has a long history of working with Walsall Arboretum. Existing work includes ornate signage in the historic core of the park on the centre green, a variety of giant carved wooden seeds on the exterior of the Visitor Centre and a detailed leaf-shaped piece illustrating the poem ‘A Park Is’ by Peadar O'Donoghue.
For more information about Planet Art, visit: https://www.planetartsculpture.co.uk
