Foreword

Dear Sirs,

This is a brief and somewhat belated response to the SPD Consultation Draft document sent out in respect of The Stow in June this year. It can be said that The Trust is broadly supportive of the aims set out in the documents; relating to Public Art aspects we comment as follows:
- We support the notion of 'landmark public art' at the Orchard Croft gateway and would wish to be involved in the procurement process for this art work.
- We note that the two pieces of sculpture in The Stow ('Chiron' and 'Not in Anger') should be regarded as positive aspects of the environment whose setting should be enhanced, and as such aghree with the statement in section 6.3 about Not in Anger.
- As above, if public art is to be used to 'enliven & brand' The Stow, we would wish to be involved in the selection / design development process to help bed the proposed works within the acclaimed wider collection of Sculpture in Harlow.
- We note the group photograph included in the document is taken around around 'Chiron' - and would remind all that Mary Spencer Watson chose Chiron for her piece "because he in his wisdom as a teacher incorporated all the activities embodied in a community centre" and hope that any development will learn from the past and incorporate the wisdom accrued. We also remind all that this piece was carved on site, in public and as such is very much part of The Stow.

Yours faithfully,

Alastair Howe
on behalf of Harlow Art Trust