24/03/11….Red Kite public art to take flight in Thame

AN EYE-CATCHING sculpture of a red kite in mid flight will be unveiled at the launch of the show homes at Windmill Place, Thame, next month.

David Wilson Homes Southern, who are building the new homes development off Windmill Road, Thame,
commissioned local artist Anne Gingell to design a piece of public art to celebrate the launch of the 99 new homes, on Saturday April 9.

Anne, who lives in Eynsham, Oxon, looked to the natural environment for inspiration: ?I walked along the Phoenix Trail recreation path, which starts near the Windmill Place development, and greatly enjoyed the sculpture and furniture made by students of Rycote College,” she said. “I then noticed the numerous red kites that swirled and dived over the path. These impressive birds flew very close to me, with their huge wing span (around five feet) moving the air above my head. I thought it would be wonderful to capture something of their energy and movement in this sculpture for Windmill Place.?

Red kites suffered severe persecution between the 16th and 19th centuries as they were thought to be a threat to expanding agriculture. These magnificent birds of prey, which feed mainly on carrion, insects, earthworms and small mammals, were almost extinct in Great Britain by the end of the 19th century, when just a handful remained in Wales. However, they have been reintroduced to the Chilterns by the RSPB and English Nature, where there are more than 130 breeding pairs. They are particularly visible in the Thame area.

Anne addec: ?My red kite will be made of rusted steel and mounted on a stone column. It will be around eight feet off the ground, so it will look like it?s flying just above our heads, like the ones I saw on my walk. I hope to impart the vital energy and force of the bird itself, not just its image.?

Paul Moran, Sales Director at David Wilson Homes Southern, says: ?The red kite has made a successful comeback in this beautiful area. Our Windmill Place development borders the open countryside where the birds fly and we felt Anne?s sculpture would be a fitting tribute to its survival. We hope to see lots of people at the unveiling on April 9th.?

The Red Kite sculpture can be viewed on Saturday, April 9, when the show home at Windmill Place will be open to the public.

For information on the two, three and four-bedroom homes at Windmill Place, call 01844 260000 or visit: www.dwh.co.uk

PHOTO: By Chris Smith