Call for plaque to celebrate war hero who created Burgess Hill park sculpture
A Burgess Hill resident with a keen interest in art is calling for an iconic town sculpture by a war hero to get the appreciation it deserves.
Mary Oram, who moved to Burgess Hill, from Cornwall a year ago, believes that Figure of Stability in St John’s Park should feature a plaque to the sculptor Sean Crampton who fought in World War II.
She also feels that the park is the wrong location for the sculpture and said that, ideally, it should be moved.
Mary told this newspaper: "I don't think it’s good by the trees because there are heavy branches over it now and branches tend to fly off. I don't think it’s been looked at for years.”
She said: “It could go down Church Walk, the centre, where they’ve got the bandstand.”
Mary's daughter Alice Gordon Clark added: “I agree with my mother. It seems this wonderful sculpture has been forgotten and deserves to be recognised and celebrated with a plaque. It’s also tucked away in the park and not in a prominent place.”
According to artuk.org, Manchester-born sculptor, painter and printmaker Sean Crampton, the son of architect Joshua Crampton, was commissioned in the 1st Battalion of the London Irish Rifles (London Division). He fought in the Western Desert and Italy in World War II and received the Military Cross and George Medal. He also had to have a leg amputated.
Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC), which manages St John’s Park, confirmed that the sculpture (also known as Stability) was cast in 1972 and originally erected in The Martlets Shopping Centre. The council said it represents sand-blown blocks in the desert.
MSDC said the sculpture was likely moved when the pedestrian shopping areas around The Martlets were developed but the council cannot currently say exactly when the move took place or what the decision-making process was behind choosing its current location.
A spokesperson for Mid Sussex District Council said: “Public art is an important part of the character and history of our towns, and we are pleased that residents take such an interest in works like the Figure of Stability sculpture in St John’s Park.
“The sculpture is recognised within the St Johns Park Management Plan and is maintained as part of the Council’s ongoing management of this well-used public space. It remains in a prominent and accessible position on the southern boundary, close to one of the park entrances, where it can be seen and enjoyed by the thousands of people who visit St Johns Park each year.
“We have not received an enquiry from the resident about this specific issue, but we would be happy to discuss it further with her if she wishes to get in touch. If a formal request were made to move the sculpture, or to install additional interpretation such as a plaque, this would be considered carefully alongside the sculpture’s location, condition, maintenance requirements, funding available and the wider management of the park.”