Art and About’s first public art commission, part of a new arts trail for Halifax.

Image shows *Island of Ferns* installed outside Halifax Library. Photo credit: Matt Radcliffe

Last week, we had the pleasure of being part of the unveiling of a new poetic sculptural installation, honouring the memory and sacrifice of Halifax Hero Marine David Moffatt.

Located outside Halifax Central Library, the previously unpublished poem Island of Ferns by award-winning poet and writer Ian Humphreys, has been etched into the locally quarried stone. Thereby embedding a lasting memory of David into the fabric of his hometown.

Artist David Armes designed the piece and the motifs which decorate the poem, while specialists Scribble Stone etched the words into the stone.

The commission is the first in a series of creative interventions, celebrating Halifax’s heritage in a walkable art trail called Art & About Halifax. The trail is part of Future High Streets Fund work, delivered by Calderdale Council in partnership with Everybody Arts.

Everybody Arts Director Lauren Iredale was at the event, which saw the stone unveiled for the first time on the day before Remembrance Sunday, making the event even more poignant.

It was commemorated with readings and reflections, including Operation Frankton and Marine David Moffatt by David Moffatt and Helen Grady, and poetry readings by Hana Gillani, Carola Luther and Ian Humphreys.

The commission was designed to commemorate and celebrate the life of Marine David Moffatt who at the age of 22 died during Operation Frankton in 1942. This was a secret mission led by the British Navy to raid ships in the port of Bordeaux whilst France was occupied by the German Army.

Image shows close up detail of *Island of Ferns* installed outside Halifax Library. Photo credit: Matt Radcliffe

Lauren said:

“The making of this work has been a labour of love, begun years ago by David’s family, particularly his niece Helen and nephew David, who have long campaigned to see a public mark of recognition for their uncle and the extraordinary mission he volunteered for and the sacrifice he made.

“We wanted a work which would engage and inspire locals and visitors to Halifax, offering something which felt fresh and contemporary while being relevant to context and respectful of heritage.

“We hoped the resulting artwork would create a place to commemorate David’s life and service, as well as a space for contemplation, to think about the extraordinary sacrifice made by David, and many other ordinary people like him.”

Art & About will include brand-new public art installations at 20 locations around the town, developed by local creatives and using local suppliers. It will combine established landmarks with innovative new pieces that draw on the town’s heritage while embracing contemporary methods and styles.

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, Cllr Sarah Courtney, said:

“The Art and About trail is one of many exciting Future High Streets projects taking place across Halifax, securing a thriving future for the town. The trail aims to support better connections and routes around the town, encouraging people to see more of what Halifax has to offer.

“Other works in production aim to reflect the borough’s rich heritage, but also capture what makes Halifax a unique place to live, work and visit now. I can’t wait to see how the works will develop, as they shape the future look of parts of the town and create opportunities for people to explore Halifax.”

The other installations include a new moquette fabric which will be displayed at Halifax Bus Station and a 40-minute album installed at Halifax Town Hall, incorporating music, field recordings, spoken word and the voices of Halifax people in a celebration of both the building and civic life in the town.

Further locations and installations are also in development and each point on the trail will feature on a new map which will be created by local illustrator, Talya Baldwin working with writer, Will Lake.

The Future High Streets Fund is driving major improvements across Halifax town centre, with £11.7 million being invested in the revitalisation of Halifax Borough Market, George Square and the Victoria Theatre. The programme aims to redesign and reinvigorate the town centre, enhancing the visitor experience, supporting local growth and strengthening its long-term sustainability.

Keep an eye out for more news on this exciting public art project and be sure to pay a visit to the library to see the beautiful installation for yourself!