25th Anniversary Art Installation for Cransley Hospice Trust Unveiled

The Cransley Hospice Trust 25^th Anniversary art installation “Robins appear when loved ones are near” was unveiled on Friday evening.  HM Lord-Lieutenant James Saunders Watson attended the special reception for supporters to open the installation in memory of loved ones and to raise money for the Northamptonshire charity.

The 500 Robins are majestically perched on stakes in the ground in the shape of a heart, reflective of the Cransley Hospice Trust logo.  The 250 white Robins encircled by 250 black.  The shadows and movement of the each of the Robins as they gently oscillate in the wind gives the exhibition a special movement and texture.  Each Robin has been individually hand crafted by local potter, Louise Crookenden-Johnson and carefully arranged, pointing to large hand painted ceramic piece.

At a focal point of the installation is a larger piece of ceramic pottery, specially made by Louise.  This piece has been commissioned in-memory of Gerard O’Flaherty, the Chaplain at Cransley Hospice who died unexpectedly just a few weeks ago and will be given to the hospice in his memory after the exhibition.

Jennifer Caldwell, who purchased a Robin in memory of her son Craig who died in the hospice, was at the unveiling on Friday evening with her family and said “I can’t believe how beautiful the installation is – it’s so moving.  I’m so glad that we were able to come and see it first, on such a perfect evening and meet the artist.  We purchased quite a few for the family and will be putting them in our gardens in memory of Craig. The support Cransley Hospice gave to me and my family was incredible and will never be forgotten – it means a lot to us to be here and to support Cransley.”

Louise Crookenden-Johnson said “I’m buzzing from the amazing feedback from Friday evening.  I’ve been asked many times what kept me going in making 500 and the easiest way to explain it is that I would think about the people they were made in memory of and their families.  It was very moving to meet many of those families on Friday and share the evening with them and also my friends and family who have all been very supportive of the me.”

Cransley Hospice Trust hope to raise in excess of £20,000 from the 25^th anniversary art installation to support and develop end of life care for the community of North Northamptonshire.

The unique installation will remain at Chester House until the 25^th June and is free for anyone to visit.

Louise Gurney, Fundraising and Events Development Manager said “Friday was the perfect evening for the unveiling of the beautiful installation.  It is very serene and beautiful and we hope as many people as possible will come to visit it whilst it is here.  We are passionate about developing end of life care in our community so that more families like Jennifers can receive the care they need at a time when they need it most.”

Anyone wishing to support Cransley Hospice Trust in their 25^th anniversary year can donate via their website www.cransleyhospice.org.uk, or when they visit the exhibition and children can take part in the Robin Trail around the grounds of Chester House.