Striking new archway installed at Croft Close Nature Reserve
Annabel McCourt and Alison Turnbull with newly installed ‘Fides’
Almost one year to the day after the artist Annabel McCourt came to Histon to share her preliminary ideas with the community at a craft event at Croft Close Nature Reserve the new entrance feature arrived at the site for installation. On a day that brought sunshine and showers and even a rainbow, the expert installation team under the watchful eye of the artist quietly slipped the piece into place with the minimum of disturbance to wildlife or the neighbours.
The funding for the project was secured by Half Moon Creative Arts CIC as part of the last tranche of money needed by Histon & Impington Green Spaces to complete the purchase of the site for the community. The grant from Thalia WB Community Fund included an element for an entrance feature to mark the change of ownership and indicate that there is public access.
The brief was to mark the transition from the urban edge of the village into the wilder space for nature beyond.
'Fides' by Annabel McCourt
Meaning 'faith' or 'trust', the work is an invitation to tread lightly as humans, in a wild place that is conserved for the benefit of the biodiversity that makes it special. The scrubland, the basis for the site’s status as a County Wildlife Site, is particularly important for the insects, amphibians, and birds that rely on it.
The form reflects both the shape of a turtle dove egg, and the arches in the trunk of the veteran oak, both found on the site.
The trustees of HIGS have chosen the statement ‘Land bought for and by the community - 2021 & 2023’ inscribed on the arch.
View towards Croft Close showing detail
Commission: 'Fides' an entrance portal for Croft Close Nature Reserve
Artist: Annabel McCourt
Material: Corten Steel
Location: Croft Close Nature Reserve, Histon, Cambridgeshire
Client: Histon & Impington Green Spaces (HIGS)
Funding: The Thalia WB Community Fund
Fabrication and Installation: ArtFabs (Art Fabrications)
Funding secured by, and project managed by, Half Moon Creative Arts CIC