I wonder how many Gazette readers can guess where the picture on this page was taken?
The sculpture isn’t a familiar sight for Dunstablians – yet.
But if you’re planning to use the new Luton-Dunstable Busway, launching on September 25, it’ll soon just be part of the landscape.
What is it? Well, it’s just one of the new sculptures on a “history trail” along the busway route.
This sculpture can be seen from the guideway near Station Road.
Some cyclists and dog-walkers will have spotted it already, of course.
So what do the diamond-like shapes on the sculpture represent?
They’re kites – to celebrate the Downs, a big draw for kite-flyers.
And the patterns on the ‘kites’ reflect industries from Dunstable’s history.
They include patterns representing confetti and a paper doily, both types of goods which were made in this area, and of a spark, to symbolise spark plug production.
How fascinating. It’s the work of artist Pete Moorhouse, who has come up with five large-scale sculptures which have been put in place along the route.
They’re made from stainless steel, and they aim to reflect important aspects of the local history and surroundings.
Artist Pete dreamed up the sculptures with the help of community consultation and workshops with schools.
I’ve already written about the two steel ducks that have gone up beneath the new Church Street bridge in Dunstable.
For those who don’t know, they are part of the busway art project, too.
They commemorate the famous orange/red duck symbol which was a landmark for years on the bridge which formerly stood on that spot.
A lot of people say that symbol was linked to the “Red Duck Club” which used to be run at The Crown.
The full history trail is sure to get the town talking – these sculptures really will be “conversation pieces”...
I was amazed to hear that the average person in the South East owns five pieces of clothing that they’ve never worn – complete with tags.
And then there’s the other 10 garments that they’ve only worn once. What a waste.
A British Heart Foundation survey says the clothes stay on their hangers because they’re too tight, unflattering or were an unwelcome gift. Oops.
Almost a quarter of the people asked said they’d bought something in a size too small, to inspire them to lose weight. Hope springs eternal. Now the BHF is hoping you’ll clear out your clutter for the charity’s Great British Bag-athon this month.
The charity aims to collect a million bags of unwanted items in September.
All I can say is, let’s give them ‘bags’ of support.
August ended in spectacular style, with this year’s open-air Dunstable Rocks! concert.
It’s a must-see on the town’s events calendar. As we used to say in my younger days, be there or be square.
As always, it was great to see so many families there, from tiny tots to game grandparents.
Full marks for organisation to those who came equipped with folding chairs, picnic tables, rugs – and the feelgood factor. All in all, it was a day that really struck a chord...