Largest statue of a deer unveiled at the opening of the UK's first Continuing Care Retirement Community
A new Sally Arnup sculpture – the largest ever sculpture of a deer in the UK – is unveiled today at the opening of the UK’s first Continuing Care Retirement Community, Hartrigg Oaks. The community, built by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust on the edge of York, represents a new model for meeting all the housing and care needs of older people in one location and will attract wide interest following the publication of the Royal Commission report on long-term care.
The statue of the Hart is based on the measurements of the heaviest park deer ever recorded, which was shot at Woburn, Bedfordshire in 1836. Sally Arnup is a world-renowned animalier sculptor, who has created other large outdoor sculptures in the UK, Switzerland and the USA. She said:
“The deer is a subject with which I have always wanted to be involved. I am delighted that this large bronze will be in York, my home city. I spent some weeks with the red deer in the park at Lotherton Hall and they gradually became accustomed to my still presence. I also visited Studley Roger, which has a herd of good deer and then a deer farm where I was able to work in the abattoir, a useful source of anatomical information.”
The Hart is depicted as a calm and peaceful animal, not one roaring his defiance to every other stag. It forms the focus to the entrance of The Oaks, which is at the centre of the Hartrigg Oaks community. The Oaks includes a Care Centre comprising 41 rooms, all en-suite, and numerous communal facilities – including a restaurant, coffee shop, library, crafts room, music room and spa pool/jacuzzi. Surrounding the Oaks are 152 bungalows, all built to Lifetime Home standards. The development was completed last September and all bungalows were reserved within three months.
The emphasis at Hartrigg Oaks is for older people to lead independent and active lives, but in the knowledge that care support is close at hand should it be needed.
Ted Grey, who moved in last June, said:
“Hartrigg Oaks has provided answers to many of the questions about our lifestyle for the coming years. We knew we would find it an increasing strain to maintain our previous home in the years ahead. The knowledge that care support is just around the corner should we ever need it, and that we are not going to be faced with a large financial bill if we require full nursing care at The Oaks, has taken away many of our concerns about growing older”.
Sir Peter Barclay, the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust’s Chairman, said at the opening:
“We are delighted that Hartrigg Oaks has proved so popular. You can already sense a buzz around the site with those living there doing all sorts of exciting activities and forging new friendships. The Trustees always hoped that people living at Hartrigg Oaks would enjoy an enhanced quality of life as well as the security of having all their care needs met and that is exactly what seems to be happening. It is fitting that this vibrant community should be graced by a statue that conveys such a sense of alertness and movement.”
There will also be a photo, filming and interview opportunity at the Bronze Age Foundry, 272 Island Row, Docklands, London on Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th March, when Sally Arnup will be completing the casting of the Hart. Please contact Sally Arnup at the Foundry on 0171-538-1388 to make an appointment.
Hartrigg Oaks will be open to the press at 1.00pm for tours around the community and an opportunity to meet people living there, Trustees of the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust and Sally Arnup, who will have pictures of the creation of the Hart. The official opening and unveiling of the statue will take place at 2.00pm. Please contact David Darton on 01904-615906 (or 01904-613639 out of office hours) for further details.
