Published on: Friday, 19 July 2024
Last updated: Friday, 19 July 2024
The mosaic with Jo Radcliffe (far left), Donna Reeves (far right), Katie Goldthorpe (back with sunglasses) and charity members. (Credit: Katie Goldthorpe)
A mosaic has been unveiled at Greater Anglia’s Ware station in Hertfordshire.
The artwork, which is on the platform near the station’s entrance, reads “Welcome to Ware.” It shows colourful flowers, butterflies, a narrowboat, swans and cygnets along with bees, trees and a river.
The three-metre long mosaic was created over seven months and uses hundreds of hand-cut tiles which included handmade ceramics, glass and mirrored elements.
It is the joint work of The New River Line Community Rail Partnership which promotes the railway in the local area, designer Donna Reeves, and around 30 members of the local Always Bee You charity. Always Bee You is a charity that enables adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues to access the opportunities, skills, and support they need.
Donna, who owns the & By Donna Reeves shop in Ware, led months of workshops and showed the group how to cut tiles, make ceramics, and how to construct the mosaic on mesh.
She first asked the group’s members to give and draw their thoughts on Ware, which centred around nature with everything from swans to the gazebos on the river, which Donna then pulled into one central design.
Donna Reeves, designer of the Ware mosaic, said:
“After the design was approved by everyone, we first started on individual tiles that were the bees as it brings both nature and the charity together really nicely.
“Over the next few months, it began to come alive and take shape on mesh with hundreds of tiles used. Everyone played their part with cutting and putting in the tiles in place. I helped on the more fiddly bits and ended up installing it and doing the final bits such as grouting.
“As the months went on, everyone felt so at home and when you start creating things, you start talking and it is great for wellbeing - everyone loved creating it and felt proud.”
There is even a small secret element in the mosaic too, with one coloured piece put in the wrong place, which Donna took from an old Roman practice after she studied in Italy.
The mosaic has sat in Donna’s shop since April but was finally installed in June following the heavy rain. It has received widespread praise from onlookers and is now constantly admired by everyone from commuters to school pupils.
The new finished mosaic at Ware. (Credit: Donna Reeves)
Jo Radcliffe, CEO of Always Bee You, said:
“We loved making the mosaic together, with our group learning new skills and meeting up with each other to chat at the same time.
“Seeing our artists create something so beautiful was wonderful. They even signed their names on each of the bee tiles they made that are now part of the mosaic, so they can see their work at the station.
“Many people with disabilities and mental health issues leave school with no qualifications or hope for the future. This project has built their confidence and showcased the artistic skills and talents of people with learning disabilities through creative arts.”
Jack Robarts, Greater Anglia’s Assistant Area Customer Service Manager for Ware station, said:
“The mosaic looks absolutely fantastic and is a lovely, bright addition to Ware station with lots of people stopping to admire it.
“I would like to give a big thank you to the whole team involved in creating it. It is a truly great piece of art, of which everyone involved can be rightly proud.”
The mosaic was jointly funded by the New River Line Community Rail Partnership, which is responsible for the five stations between Broxbourne and Hertford East including Ware and the Department of Transport’s Community Rail Development Fund administered by Community Rail Network.
Katie Goldthorpe, New River Line Community Rail Partnership Officer, said:
“We are so pleased that the mosaic is on display for all visitors to Ware station to enjoy and that the project has been such a success.
“It was a real team effort from everyone involved and it really shows off the beauty of the area and the buzz as people come into the station and step off the trains has been brilliant.”
Paul Webster, Regions Support Manager at Community Rail Network, said:
"Railway stations are a gateway into their community and a reflection of the local pride of that place.
“We are pleased and proud to have been able to fund and support this stunning new mosaic at Ware station.
“It perfectly captures the talent of the Always Bee You group and the skill of Donna Reeves - the artist who have jointly created this bright and inviting display. Passengers arriving at Ware will really feel that they are warmly welcomed to the town by this mosaic!”
The New River Line Community Rail Partnership has a list of upcoming local events on its website, easily accessible by rail over the summer months.