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Published by Julie Parr
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Friday, 22 January 2010 |
Like the Angel of the North or the London Eye, Haddenham will soon have its own memorable monument at Top Corner. The illustrations, shown here, of the winners of the Big Idea competition are evidence of just how important people feel it is to pay tribute to Haddenham as a place of communication, a place at the crossroads and especially a place of welcome, work and creativity in the heart of the fens. Everyone who took part in generating ideas and then in the workshops that fashioned them together, from the ages of 9 to 64 agreed that we need a significant marker that is worthy of the efforts of past, present and future parishioners. The primary school children put it best when they said that they wanted to have something in their village “that no-one else has got”. At the highest point in the southern fens “Top Corner” has been used as the location for influential statements since as early as the 6th century when the land nearby was selected for the burial of their most important people, such as the Saxon “Kings” that were discovered in 1990.
So far..........
A brief account of the work so far is available in the Library and at Haddenham Galleries for everyone to see how we have got as far as this. Now begins the hard work of bringing these ideas into reality. Many have asked why there is not just ONE Big Idea at the moment, why are there THREE alternatives. The reason is that it is important to be adaptable when it comes to actually building and designing the outside monument. At the moment, we are not entirely sure what constraints, if any, authorities and logistics may impose on the final solution. For certain there is enough strong content in the three winning ideas for a truly outstanding design to be built.
“I am obviously very familiar with the area and I agree that something has to be done to make it of more value to the local community” letter from Jim Paice MP 12 Jan 2010
“I can’t tell you how much I admire what you are doing, it is great to see “Sustainable Communities” fighting back...” email from Cllr. Bill Hunt 23 December 2009
What’s happening now?
A small working group has been formed to make sure that we get the permissions we need, the money that it will cost and the promotion that will ensure that this project is realised within the next 12 months. It will not be easy. We know that there is no spare public money sloshing around, we know that we cannot raise funds through jumble sales and small donations. What is needed is a generous corporate sponsor or another (media?) project, or a big local business that wants to invest in this exciting and sustainable community venture. We estimate that more than five thousand people and cars pass the Top Corner every day. For this reason alone there may be organisations and sponsors prepared to invest in the project for some positive publicity.
What can I do?
People ask “What can I do to help – it is such a big project?”
1. Can you write a letter of support, or get someone (famous, influential or otherwise important) to do the same? – address them to Haddenham Big Idea, Haddenham Galleries, High Street or to the email address below.
2. You can help by thinking of any businesses or contacts that might be useful for information, advice or possible funding and letting the working group know about them.
3. Maybe you are looking to invest in the village yourself and see this project as a valuable long-term enterprise?
4. And what about the telephone box design? Currently we are looking for a shop window mannequin to install in the box – have you got one or know someone who does? This mannequin will be dressed up to advertise the changing seasons – pantomime-time, springtime, Blossoms time etc. Have you any ideas for other themes for this interim project?
Contact Jez on 749038 or
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