The Chard sculptures, created by sculptor Neville
Gabie, were commissioned as part of the landscaping
improvements carried out in Fore Street and High Street
during 1991. Their design and development involved a
partnership between Chard Town Council, Cerdic
Foundries, South Somerset District Council, South West
Arts and Holyrood School. The result was a group of
three sculptures located as part of a water feature at the
High Street/Holyrood Street corner. The water feature
comprises three ‘boulders’ which represent three different aspects of the town

The first, situated at the upstream end, is cast from an
actual water-worn boulder and is intended to show that
materials change over a period of time both in
appearance and the uses to which they were put.

The second spherical one is made up of casts of the
hands of many Chard residents, mixed with
mechanical forms and shapes and reflects the idea that
Chard’s industrial heritage has grown and developed
through hand-made processes, craftsmanship and
imagination
.
The third geometrical shape reflects the fact that Chard
is now the home of many enterprises of a highly
industrial nature.

The three are complemented by a fourth sculpture
situated on the raised seating area at the upper end of
Fore Street. This is a representation of the steam
powered aircraft constructed and flown by Chard
pioneer John Stringfellow

Taken from the Chard Town Guide 2011-12