The sculpture on the Kingsbury bank of the Welsh Harp (Photo:Philip Grant)
I took an hour off from cultivating my Birchen Grove allotment yesterday to cross over to the Welsh Harp Sailing Club to see a sculpture commissioned by the Canal and River Trust to mark the de-watering and refilling of the Brent Reservoir, popularly known as the Welsh Harp.
Phil Neale, the sculptor, aims to inspire as well as educate, and worked with pupils from Preston Manor High School and Wykeham Primary School using their drawings as a basis for the cut-outs on the sail.
The works involved the replacement of the wheels and chains that were part of the original equipment to operate the sluice gates and were retained for Phil Neale who likes to work with recycled material and large scale metal work pieces. The Post Code Lottery provided funding.
Phil Neale and boat
Phil explains:
My initial inspiration for the design of this sculpture came from a short video showing very primitive powerboat racing on the reservoir in the early 1930s. I wished to combine this element of the history of the reservoir with the traditional name ‘Welsh Harp’ as well as highlighting the amazing flora and fauna that this Site of Special Scientific interest supports.
Although the powerboats didn’t have sails, the current boats certainly do, so it seemed a golden opportunity to fabricate a ‘sail’ in the shape of a harp and utilise this form to create a condensed artwork that the local schools could help design, as well as informing the students and local community about the local wildlife on their doorstep. The heritage ironwork lent itself to representing waves and water and was luckily a material that could be welded to the sculpture and powder coated all in one, giving a uniform finish and long-lasting protection from the elements.
Nature's colours through the cut-outs
Fish on the prow of the boat
The recycled pulleys and chains
The sculpture is destined for pride of place in Neasden Recreation Ground on the North Circular Road bank of the Harp and the site is currently being prepared.
