A new Town Centre trail to find ten Buckingham artist decorated swan sculptures
We can’t wait for you to discover our swans! Buckingham Town Council are excited to introduce the second temporary public art sculpture trail which will run throughout the summer holidays of 2023. The Swan Trail is a family friendly, feel-good project that provides a free community led activity for everyone to enjoy! Each swan is kindly sponsored by local businesses, organisations and Buckinghamshire Council’s Buckingham & Villages Community Board and lovingly painted by school children, artists, and the community.
To take part simply download the trail map or pick up a free paper trail map from Buckingham Tourist Information Centre, open daily from Monday until Saturday 10am until 4pm . The trail is also available to follow on our community heritage exploration app Buxplore. Swan spotters will then be able to pinpoint which swans they want to see, in what order and where in the town they can be found. This also allows visitors to read more about the artists and sponsors behind the project.
Displayed at every swan location you will find a plaque with the name of the swan, artist and sponsor and QR codes for Buxplore. There is also a hidden letter written on the plaque. To be in with a chance of winning £100 to spend in a local Buckingham shop you will need to find all the hidden letters. The hidden letters make up a ten letter phrase. Post your entry in the special box at Buckingham Tourist Information Centre or via email: tic@buckingham-tc.gov.uk. All correct answers will be entered into a prize draw and one winner will be chosen and notified on the same day. Closing date is September 4th, 2023, at 12 noon.
Meet the 2023 Swan Team!
Introducing: The Gaol Bird swan
Artist: Buckingham Primary School and Sarah Jenkins
The Gaol Bird swan was painted by Buckingham Primary School with a bit of guidance from Art Teacher and local artist Clare Tebboth.
The swan prisoner design concept was created by Sarah Jenkins who was the chosen winner of our ‘design a swan competition.’ This design shows the swan in a classic prison outfit, representing the Old Gaol at the heart of Buckingham. Sarah is a local artist currently working as a Graphic Designer and full-time mum. You can find her online at www.theworldofsarah.com.
Buckingham Youth Club is a space for young people to come and make friends and experience new things. A safe space to express themselves and to meet others.
The young people have really enjoyed getting involved with the decoration of the swan and it has provided a wonderful opportunity to think about how we talk and treat others and how we want to be treated ourselves which is why we went with a be kind theme.
This medieval chapel is the oldest building in Buckingham. Built in the late 12th century as part of a hospital, converted to a chantry chapel and then a school, this little building boasts a varied history. Now home to a second-hand book shop, Buckingham Chantry Chapel is one of a handful of properties that make up the Stowe and Aylesbury Vale Portfolio of the National Trust.
The Stowe and Aylesbury Vale portfolio are very happy to support the Swan Trail in Buckingham. Supporting local community is very important to the National Trust and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with Buckingham Town Council and other local organisations in the future.
Located in the heart of Buckingham, The Grand Junction offers a welcoming place to enjoy great food and drink from morning until night. Within the grounds there is a private hire space to celebrate specials occasions and events at the Granary and there is also a beautiful courtyard, a lovely spot for some al fresco dining or a drink as the sun goes down.
Jill is a self-taught Artist whose art career has taken off since Lockdown 2020, and in three years she has sold over one hundred originals. Jill has a passion for colour, maths, and interiors. She loves collaborating with customers to choose or create the perfect artwork for their home. Jill uses acrylics, spray paint and inks to create artwork which is so full of colours, textures, and layers that you notice something new every time you look.
Jill painted this swan during the first 2 months after having her third son. She could not help but feel that this was perfect in its symbolism and timing. The phrase “be like a swan”, often being representative of parenting. Just to maintain the status quo, parents are paddling madly underneath the water but whilst attempting to appear calm and graceful on the surface. This Swan is a tribute to all the hard-working parents out there, making it seem easy, when it really is anything but!
Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity is dedicated to ensuring that patients and families across Buckinghamshire have access to the best hospice care – wherever and whenever they need it, including right here in Buckingham. Our Community Nursing Team care for people in their own homes across North Buckinghamshire, helping them make the most of their final weeks and months with family and friends, surrounded by familiar things. And our Vintage and Retro Shop on Bridge Street is home to one of our Listening Rooms, where clients can talk to one of our trained volunteer Listeners about adjusting to the news of a life-limiting condition or bereavement.
We have been made to feel so welcome in the town since our shop opened, and by all those who have supported the charity over the years. Our local communities are so important to us as a charity and we feel honoured to be part of this great community project which we hope will help us raise awareness of the specialist, compassionate and individual care we can offer those patients and families who need us.
Artist: Courtney Scott
Khaya the swan was designed and painted by Courtney Scott with a little help from daycare patients and team members on duty at the Florence Nightingale Hospice in Stoke Mandeville Hospital as part of their weekly art therapy sessions.
The name “Khaya” means ‘Home’ in the South African languages Zulu and Xhosa. This idea of home drives the imagery of this swan, on one side there are traditional British colours and flowers including Daffodils, Thistles, Shamrocks, and Roses. On the other side you will find traditional South African colours and flowers including King Proteas, Strelitzias (Bird of Paradise), Pincushions, Aloes, and African Lilies. On the wings, however, – which are usually symbolic of a sense of freedom, the respective countries’ national flowers are swapped over. This shows the merging of the two cultures and how both places have come to represent ‘home’ for Courtney, in different but beautiful ways.
Courtney is a South African born Fine artist who is living and working in Buckingham. Recently, she opened her commission-based art business called Little Magpie Art on Instagram, and she hopes to turn a life-long dream and passion for painting into her full-time job. Courtney hopes that this piece will reach beyond her own personal South African/British narrative and speak to all those individuals and families who have been embraced by communities across the UK and made the UK their home.
Thrive is a family owned and run healthcare clinic located just minutes from Buckingham town centre, at the Bourton Business Centre, with the charming countryside surroundings of the Manor Farm and the Larder Café on its doorstep. The local multidisciplinary clinic houses a team of Chiropractors, Podiatrists/Chiropodists and Sports Massage and Injury Therapists dedicated to delivering safe and effective health care to the highest standard. Thrive is a family orientated clinic that treats people of all ages, including babies and children through to senior citizens. It serves the Buckingham community and surrounding areas including Milton Keynes and Bicester and offers weekend and evening appointments, for your convenience, with ample free parking at the clinic.
Husband and Wife owners and Buckingham residents, Garry and Stephanie Doig, and the Thrive Clinic team are immensely proud of how, since they first opened their doors in 2019, the clinic has grown to become the go to for many Buckingham residents when they have a musculoskeletal condition or foot problem. Thousands of clients have passed through the doors at Thrive and they are often recommended to friends and family by their loyal clients. “We love being part of the Buckingham community and getting involved in activities like supporting local sports clubs and charity events. The Swan Trail is equally exciting and will be a fun, family friendly community event to be enjoyed by Buckingham residents and visitors throughout the summer. The trail is a great way to get people active and encourage collaboration between Buckingham Town Council and local businesses. We are thrilled to play our small part in what should be great event”.
Artist: Padbury CE School
Our first thought was our Padbury Values, which are trust, kindness, courage, love, hope and respect. We had the idea to write them on leaves; to represent growth and nurturing. Then we thought of our most important biblical passage: John 15:5: I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. By using the thought of the vine, we put the Values and the vine ideas together and thought of using leaves on the vines around the swan’s neck. Then, to incorporate the school’s colours – blue and yellow-, we started at the head being a very pastel yellow, to travel down in a gradient the neck and morphing into red, then purple, then finally ending at blue at the tips of the feathers. The wing was light blue, which reminded us of a sky, so, as the school’s logo is a sun, we decided to put a swirling sun and a couple of clouds on the front. The base of the swan was made to look like swirling water, as if the swan were gliding elegantly through a lake. On the back of the swan, the whole school, from the Pre-schoolers joining in September all the way to Year 6, printed their hand and had their name written on it.
The Centre at Verney Close is a community meeting place in the heart of Buckingham, where you’ll find a friendly face and a listening ear. The building is being used by community groups who share the vision for making The Centre a place of warmth, compassion, and friendship: helping to build a caring and supportive community.
Whether you are a first-time home buyer, moving up the ladder, re-mortgaging or purchasing an investment property the legal complexities of buying or selling a house can be a stressful experience, both financially and emotionally. The team at Gilroy Steel Solicitors understand these challenges and will offer stress-free legal support and a deal that works for you.
Gilroy Steel Solicitors can help you plan openly for your family’s future. This may include getting married, living together, moving home or even separating from your partner. It is important to get expert legal advice, to know where you stand and what your rights are.
Gilroy Steel Solicitors have a wealth of experience with Wills and Probate and can give professional and straightforward advice. We offer both fixed fee and hourly rates dependent on the work involved and will discuss this fully with you at the outset and during the course of your transaction.
Rashmi Sanders works full time in the Pharmaceutical Industry and to unwind she enjoys a small hobby business called Zen Seeta in which she creates colouring sheets for adults and children, along with colouring books that are available on Amazon.
Her design integrates all cultures with both sides of the swan decorated with images of the English countryside, mixed in with Indian cultural style mandala work. The idea is to simply represent different cultural styles and show that everyone in the pot can work well.
Rashmi created the design in pencil then pen and the community helped to complete the design by colouring it in at our Celebrate Buckingham event.
The Old Town Hall provides a magnificent venue hire space for all sorts of occasions. The Historic Ballroom has been brought back to life and now hosts regular events such as the ‘Faulty Towers Dining Experience’ and ‘An Audience with Bernie Marsden’ which are always sell out events!
We believe that Buckingham is a wonderful place to live and work, and, since 1974 we have been committed to, not only, keeping it that way, but also trying to ensure that it is continuously improving. Working in partnership with organisations, businesses, individuals, Buckingham Town Council and Buckinghamshire Council we aim to improve the way our town develops.
We are always pleased to see new likeminded members, and as such you will be joining forces with us to safeguard our town for the benefit and enjoyment of us all. You can choose to do as little or as much as you wish. Why not take part in one of our special interest groups such as Planning, Paths, Green Spaces and Transport or if you have a particular interest or skill why not set up a new group!
Life in Buckingham is also to be enjoyed and The Buckingham Society has a great calendar of events for members, as well as open events for all. We have guest speakers on a variety of subjects including local history, flora, and fauna, as well as local guided walks and social events. A firm favourite is our Annual Garden Party when the weather is usually a compliant member for the evening!
To learn more please visit our website and or find us on Facebook.
Ashley’s design is inspired by the natural world around us and in particular the beautiful bird life here in the UK. Not only to create a one-off piece of original artwork, but to voice the continued loss of habitat that not only birds have suffered from but nature as a whole, the eco system and local habitats. He also took inspiration from the Garden Book which belonged to his grandma from 1979.
Ashley King is a passionate Illustrator who specialises in children’s books. He graduated from Coventry University with a 1st Class Honours Degree in Illustration and Animation and is represented by Plum Pudding Illustration Agency.
Ashley has collaborated with many authors including Michael Rosen, Kaye Umansky, Sylvia Bishop, and TV Michelin star chef Glynn Purnell. The books he has worked on have been translated into many languages captivating readers across the world. Ashley also enjoys window dressing and is always on the hunt for a strong chalkboard to draw on.
For over 25 years at the heart of the town, Buckingham Ford has been your local family run car dealership that offers a hassle-free vehicle servicing and sales environment. We are proud of the service that we continue to provide our customers and it’s all worthwhile when get a wave and a smile from a familiar face around town.
For most people in Buckingham, it is that one place that you pass by every day on your way to work or to drop the kids off at school on the London road, looks like a small car showroom but has much more than that to offer with workshops and an accident repair workshop behind the showroom.
There has been a Dealership at this location for over 100 years and we are proud of the good relationship Buckingham Ford has built in the local community, including sponsoring many of our local sports teams in Buckingham and supporting local charity events.
Artist: George Grenville Academy
The children enjoyed creating their own designs and we had a lot to choose from! After much deliberation we chose to go with a year 3 design by Darcy which links to the Coronation. The neck is also decorated with fingerprints of all the children at the school.
We are very much hoping to see more people who want to try out the game. Our club is a great facility however still remains undiscovered by our local community. Every Tuesday evening has been dedicated as an ‘Open Evening’ and a great opportunity to come and try your hand, get some advise/guidance from our coaches at no cost or commitment. Bowls are provided, no special sportswear is needed, we just ask that flat shoes are worn when playing on the green.
The club opens every weekday evening from about 6pm onwards, during the season. Roll-ups are available during the day but note that the green is closed for maintenance Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 1pm.
Introducing: Queenie the swan
Sponsor: Beachborough School
At Beachborough School, our location to and our relationship with our neighbouring market towns, plays an important part in our outreach and community engagement. Children attend Beach borough School from areas such as Buckingham, Brackley, Bicester and Banbury and as a school, we like to support as many community projects held within these towns, as possible.
At Beachborough School, the children in our Art Club, which comprises of our most promising artists in Form V to Form Vlll, were offered the opportunity to get creative and to submit their designs to Head of Art, Miss Cheshire before the final design by Form V pupil Olivia W, who had sketched the intricate skeleton of a swan, was collectively chosen. All members of the Art Club have been giving up their break times to getting the swan painted, we are proud of all the children involved and their commitment to the project.
Our involvement in community projects such as The Buckingham Swan Trail, unleashes children’s creativity and encourages our pupils to be engaging, kind and responsible citizens.
We wish Buckingham Town council the best of luck with this project and cannot wait to see our swan ‘in-situ’ and we hope that members of the Beach borough community and beyond, will take the opportunity to participate in the trail throughout the Summer.
Artist: Beachborough School Children
Our design process started with each member of Art Club designing what they thought the swan should look like. We had such creative ideas including ones based around the weather, the elements (including lots of fire based ideas) and even an underwater one. But our final chosen design was one by a Form V pupil who sketched the intricate skeleton of a swan. We collectively decided that it would look even better having one side of the swan as the skeleton with the other side as a realistic one.
Heritage & Son have a long tradition of providing the highest standards of professional and personal service when people need it the most. The traditions of Heritage & Son date back to the nineteenth century with the founding of the first funeral home in Winslow. Today we offer funeral homes in Amersham, Aylesbury, Buckingham, Bletchley, Tring, Wendover and Winslow.
Since our company’s beginnings in 1885, a lot has changed at Heritage & Sons though our core values remain the same. As a family-owned funeral directors, we place an emphasis on compassion, personality, and legacy. We are privileged to support local charities and initiatives within the communities in which we serve.
Heritage and Sons are proud to be a part of the Buckingham community and enjoyed being part of the Otter Trail two years ago. We were so pleased to be offered the opportunity to be part of the Swan Trail which is a chance for people to explore this beautiful Market Town.
Artist: Lace Hill Academy
We have chosen the name Blossom because it represents the bloom of Buckingham and how the town has grown over time. The flowers and trees on the swan represent all the nature and wildlife that makes our community a happy and peaceful place to live.
Host: Heritage & Sons Buckingham
The Buckingham Swan Trail event is part funded by Buckinghamshire Council’s Buckingham & Villages Community Board.
Why a Swan Trail?
Just like the fantastic success of the 2021 Otter Trail, we hope the Swan Trail will attract visitors to the town and help increase footfall to our local shops and businesses. We know from previous trails, that when visitors spend time exploring Buckingham’s heritage this also generates positive economic and social benefits for the community.
Councillor Robin Stuchbury, chair of Town Centre and Events committee said “ We are pleased to bring forward the Swan Trail this year knowing how much the 2021 Otter Trail was enjoyed and how many people took part in this community event. Of course we are only able to run such events through the planning and coordination of our officers and the continued positive support of the committee and council to do everything possible within our limited budget to put on events which makes Buckingham a great place to live, work and visit ”.
