Pupils at Archbishop Courtenay Primary School have taken part in an interactive workshop with Will Nash, the Sussex based artist who is currently working on a bespoke sculpture for The Poppies development in Maidstone.

The visit was part of an inspiring collaboration between Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes, Will Nash and Archbishop Courtenay Primary School, to name the new biodiversity inspired sculpture, set to be installed at The Poppies.
Environmental artist, Will Nash, shared more about the inspiration behind the design and worked with the children to choose a final name for the sculpture: Bugingham Palace.

The striking 2.8-metre-high sculpture, expected to be installed in the summer months at The Poppies development, has been carefully designed and crafted to serve as both a visual landmark and a functional piece of environmental infrastructure.

As part of the session, pupils were encouraged to bring in the natural materials, such as pinecones, bamboo, sticks and logs. Will Nash plans to cut the locally sourced natural materials to size and densely pack them into the robust frame made from Corten Steel, forming a diverse habitat for pollinating insects.
This partnership reflects the housebuilders’ ongoing commitment to supporting the community around its new homes developments and highlighting the importance of looking after the local environment.

Artist, Will Nash, commented: “Connecting with the pupils to share the creative process and environmental message behind the work has been a brilliant opportunity. The enthusiasm and imagination shown by the pupils has been inspiring, and I think it’s so important to encourage the younger generation to use their creativity in a way that’s beneficial to the environment. This sculpture will provide a real legacy for the community as it continues to evolve and become a hub for wildlife over the coming years.”

Phil Hurring, Marketing Manager at Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties, added: “Will’s sculpture inspired by nature and supported by the community, reflects the values we want to promote in every community we build. Inviting local children to take part in the process and to understand more about their local environment, has been fantastic and makes us even more excited to see the completed structure.”

Natalie Perry, Sales and Marketing Director at Barratt David Wilson Kent, added: “The children played a key role in collecting natural materials for the sculpture and suggesting unique names, making for a truly collaborative and environmentally conscious project. The enthusiasm and contribution will leave a permanent mark in the Maidstone community.”

Lin Copley, Teacher at Archbishop Courtenay Primary School, added: “The pupils were thrilled to meet Will and so proud to contribute ideas towards the naming of the sculpture. They loved learning about how this will support local nature and its sparked so many creative conversations. We’re hoping to return to The Poppies to see the sculpture once it has been installed later this year.”

The Poppies has a range of open green spaces to enjoy, including a dedicated play area. Other ecological features include pollinator friendly planting, trees and hedgerows, as well as bat and bird boxes, habitat log piles, and hedgehog highways.

Buyers can discover their new home at The Poppies with a selection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes. Prices start at £143,750 for a two-bedroom home at Barratt Homes and £454,995 for a three-bedroom home at David Wilson Homes.