The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion
The Gardener and Truant Lion

© Sioban Coppinger RSS, FRSS. Image credit: Sean Bergin / Art UK

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Notes

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The motif for the statues was borrowed from the post-war British Rail logo, the Lion and Wheel. 'The Dutiful Lion' on his plinth. The 'truant lion' has abandoned his post and is shamelessly foraging among the plants. The blissfully unaware gardener, represents Leading Railman Bernard Carter of ‘Best Kept’ Stoke Mandeville Station. The sculptures were conceived initially as part of a scheme for the 1986 Chelsea Flower Show with British Rail working in partnership with landscape gardener, Paul Temple. It was then loaned to the ‘National Garden Festival ’86’ in Stoke-on-Trent, before being permanently sited at Stoke Mandeville Station.
Title

The Gardener and Truant Lion

Date

1986

Medium

cast reinforced concrete & ferro-cement

Measurements

H 175 x W 80 x D 34 cm (E);
Plinth: H 88 x W 50 x D 133 cm (E)

Accession number

HP22_SB_S010

Acquisition method

commissioned for the Chelsea Flower Show, 1986

Work type

Statue

Work status

extant

Access

at all times

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Located at

Station Road, Stoke Mandeville

HP22 5UD

Situated on open ground in a lawned area north of the east-bound platform of the station.