25th August: Ave Atque Vale

The Hampshire Open Studios event was held over August Bank Holiday weekend and I decided to call in at Palais des Vaches after my watch on Sunday 25th.  Now that it is past the nesting season I was able to walk through the meadow (recently cut for hay) and out to the location of the Ave Atque Vale (Hail and Farewell) sculpture, something not possible on my first viewing.

The path passes the Bofors gun emplacement which shot at the Junkers 188 during WWII.  With table and chairs it now looks like the most beautiful place for an al fresco evening meal, sitting, looking out over the Beaulieu River. From there a railway sleeper path leads to the site of the sculpture which clearly floods on the larger tides.

It’s a great idea, but I’m not sure I like the design.  The mixed media with stainless “handkerchief” and wooden oars makes me wonder how it will stand the passing of time.  Above all, if the figure is meant to represent a Wren then it is far too feminine with shawl and flowing dress.  I know it is said to represent all the women who were left behind as the troops left for D-Day, but with its site on the Beaulieu and connection to Exbury and “Requiem for a Wren”, a stronger female figure would surely have been more appropriate?

But it is a beautiful site and well displayed, being grouped with a second “anti-tank hedgehog”, an old wooden bench from Gins, and a wind blasted oak tree.