Beeston's ‘Water Head’ sculpture relocation to be marked with a ceremony

As part of works to improve Beeston Square, supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the controversial sculpture was moved, creating more space for stalls and events.

The sculpture was created by local artist and tutor, the late Professor Paul Mason, after a commission from the council in 1989. It is described as, “An organic pillar of overlapping carved forms in Italian white marble” and is considered by many to represent the trunk of a tree. Very little was known about the artwork or the sculptor by Beestonians, until the recent campaign by the Beeston Civic Society. It is hoped that the new location, plaque, and planting will win-over local residents who previously had mixed or negative opinions about the sculpture.

Working closely with Broxtowe Borough Council, Beeston Civic Society ran a public engagement survey to gather suggestions on a new location for ‘Water Head’. A new site was selected in September, and works to move the piece are now complete. A rededication ceremony takes place at 3:30pm on Saturday 25 January.

‘Water Head’ now sits beside Beeston Interchange, just outside the entrance to Arc Cinema. The new location is in full view of pedestrians, bus and tram commuters and benefits from landscaping; providing a softer, more appropriate site.

The ceremony will rededicate ’Water Head’ with a few words by artist and friend of Mason, Professor David Manley. Civic Trustee and long-time champion of the artwork, Tamar Feast, said, “We’re only not calling it an ‘unveiling’ because we simply can’t get a cover big enough! We really hope the new home for Water Head will be well-received – maybe even enough for people to stop calling it names.”

The sculpture will also feature in Beeston (Burns) Light Night III that evening (6 – 9pm). It will be lit up, and poet Dave Wood (AKA Dr Rhyme) will be reading a poem about it at 7pm.

For further details on Beeston Light Night, see https://beestoncivicsociety.org.uk/beestonstreetart/light-night/ (opens in a new window)

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is UK Government funded and Broxtowe Borough Council has been allocated a total of £2,584,477 over a three-year period 2022-25. Activity funded in 2024/5 includes local business, skills and community projects, including a set of community grant-funded projects.