Unveiling of Swift Home Sculpture in Leicester
The Bronze Swift Sculpture for Wyggestons & Trinity
The Unveiling by the Lord Mayor of Leicester on St Georges Day
A new bronze sculpture by Sculptress JOEL, Swift Home for Rosemary, was formally unveiled at Wyggestons & Trinity Almshouses. The event was a warm and celebratory gathering that brought together residents, trustees, and distinguished guests.
The sculpture, a moving tribute to the endangered Swift (Apus apus), was generously endowed as a legacy gift by resident Rosemary Smith. Her support has enabled a lasting symbol of care, continuity, and the importance of the natural world within the Almshouse community.
The unveiling was conducted by the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr T Aldred, who formally dedicated the Sculpture. She was joined by Chairman of Governors Mrs Sandra Powell; fellow Governors; Mr Nick Phillips the CEO of the Almshouse Association and many residents, all gathered to mark the occasion.
Sculptress JOEL was present and spoke about the inspiration behind Swift Home, highlighting the extraordinary life of swifts—birds that spend most of their lives in flight—and the growing challenges they face due to loss of nesting sites. Alongside the sculpture, JOEL presented a small display on swift conservation. This information emphasising practical ways to support these remarkable birds through the installation of nest boxes.
The event concluded with a joyful St George’s Day celebration, where guests shared coffee and cake. There was much to chat about the artwork and the new opportunities and sense of community it has strengthened.
Encouragingly, Wyggestons & Trinity Almshouses have committed to taking action, with plans now underway to install swift nest boxes nearby on site. These actions ensuring that the message of the sculpture is matched by meaningful conservation efforts.
“The Swift sculpture is so uplifting and inspiring – Wonderful”“
Installation of the Swift Home for Rosemary Sculpture
The Installation of the sculpture had taken place earlier with the involvement of Joel and the Grounds Team with position oversight by Sandra Powell and Chris Jones CEO of Wyggestons & Trinity.
The sculpture was securely positioned within its prepared setting, ensuring both stability and longevity. Consideration was given to sightlines, light, and the daily experience of residents—allowing the piece to be encountered naturally within the garden. The installation process balanced technical expertise with an understanding of how the sculpture would live within the space: not simply as an object, but as a presence.
Now fully installed, Swift Home sits as a focal point within the Almshouse garden —an enduring reminder of Rosemary’s generosity, a celebration of swifts in flight, and a call to protect the fragile connections between built spaces and the natural world.
Sculptress Joel has been asked to visit again to talk more about the process of sculpting and casting such artworks and her objectives to engender appreciation, inspiration and conservation of species.
What a wonderful day ! And celebration of Life, Swifts and the People of Wyggestons and Trinity
Photographers included Dave Sinclair of Corporate-Motion
