Roundabout Commission

Neil Castle has lived in Weston all his life. He studied at Weston College for three years before starting work, and has returned to college to explore his passion for art and creativity. He's currently studying for a Foundation Degree in Art and Design.

When he was first asked to produce a design for this project he was eager to be chosen as he recognised that this opportunity at the beginning of his career was the chance of a lifetime.

He says of his design, “I knew it had to incorporate both the old and the new so I looked into the history of Weston in more detail. One part of this history is obvious, Weston as a seaside resort, but I realised that there must be more, so I looked at the history of the town quarry and felt that the stone taken from the hillside symbolised the birth of the town as we know it.”

His design combines two historical aspects, the grey cubes of dressed stone reflect the quarry and the Victorian architecture of the town, whilst the round natural stones represent the coast and how it has played an important part in the development of the town. The steel disc is an acknowledgement of the future. The arched shape was decided to create a “gateway” and to resemble standing stones, a seeming impossibility.

Debbie Settle is a mature student at Weston College, currently in the first year of her degree. She has lived in Weston for the past three years, but has visited Weston throughout her life.

Her design is influenced by Weston’s links with the past in particular:

• The Victorian stain glass windows and their floral designs
• Ceramic tiles on Art Deco buildings
• The Diatom sculpture created by Rod Harris using bricks as they were produced at the Potteries
• Barbara Hepworth artwork and her creation of open framework sculptures

And also, with Weston’s links to the present and future:

• Scaffolding representing renewal and regeneration
• Pillared gateways and entrances
• Traditional floral displays

This led to the theme, ‘looking through:’ an entrance to the seaside. Debbie imagined the start of a holiday, the anticipation of fun. The design incorporates the following elements:

The two structures act as a gateway, pillars, providing an entrance welcoming people into Weston..

The incorporation of a brightly coloured floral element evoking Victorian stain glass windows and the tradition of seaside floral displays.

A ceramic sun rising or setting over the sea connects to the Potteries and the use of ceramic tiles.

Cassie Smith- Wilson is a student from Weston College University Campus, currently in the first year of her degree in applied art and design.

When asked by the council to design a sculpture for the roundabout near the station for one of her very first commissions, she was so excited.

“What an opportunity! We were asked to incorporate the history of Weston, the new renovations that are taking place and to keep in mind that it is a gateway to the town.”

Upon researching the history of Weston, she found that it used to be known as a fishing village and immediately thought of a fisherman’s knot, she wanted to include a knot as it would represent eternity which is quite fitting for Weston, a town which has grown and developed over time and will continue to do so.

“I wanted it to symbolize longevity for the town so I took the inspiration of the fisherman’s knot and developed it into a more interesting shape. I then thought about how lucky we are to have our own seaside and all the visitors it brings. This along with the idea of movement and moving forwards due to the renovations taking place led me to decide that the motion of a wave would convey this as they push onwards and upwards.”

Cassie has decided to use a local supplier for her willow to create the knot.

“Willow is very flexible but strong and makes beautiful sculptures. My family and I run a local business so it is important to me to support local businesses.

It would mean the world to me as a new artist to have the privilege of being involved in something this big so early on in my career and I can imagine getting a burst of excitement every time I drive around that roundabout if I am lucky enough to win, in fact the day after building I think I would become a menace on the road by continuously circling it in disbelief that I actually did it! I hope you like my design.”

It was felt that a wave constructed of thinly sliced rock such as slate would add movement to the structure as it twists around the knot to give the idea that the renovations and new opportunities will support the growth and longevity of Weston into the future.