Collaborative Projects

NEW ROMNEY COMMUNITY MOSAIC, INSPIRED BY LOCAL HISTORY

Funded by Arts Council England & New Romney Town Council, the Trust collaborated in the New Romney community obelisk project, with several workshops hosted in medieval churches on the marsh.

The final heritage-inspired community mosaic is sited close to St. Nicholas’ Church in New Romney, which attracts visitors from all over the world.

From the artists behind The Marsh Mosaics project, the mosaic-panelled obelisk depicts scenes inspired by the history and people of New Romney through the ages, celebrating the town’s unique heritage, including its impressive church.

Free mosaics workshops were held at locations in and around New Romney during Summer 2024, including the churches at New Romney and Ivychurch, schools and drop-in centres, and with a range of local organisations such as youth groups, RHD Railway, Romney Marsh Community Hub, South Kent MIND and the Town Council.

Learn more about the history of New Romney

Further Romney Marsh learning resources

BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT

The project built on the success of The Marsh Mosaics project, which saw 500 local people create 14 community mosaics; one displayed in each of the marsh churches.

Ten mosaics were created in 2020-21 as part of the Fifth Continent Landscape Partnership Scheme, with a further four created in 2022, funded by the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust. The full church mosaics trail was unveiled in 2022 as part of JAM On The Marsh festival, gaining BBC coverage.

Local artist duo Yolanda and John Houston, run numerous arts classes from their New Romney studio as well as out in the community. Yolanda’s contributions to arts and culture on Romney Marsh have earned her the Pride of New Romney award.

Following the success of previous projects, Yolanda is now supporting the Trust through the coordination of craft workshops in churches for local schoolchildren and RMHCT members.

Launched as part of JAM on the Marsh with BBC coverage

IDENTIFYING A SITE

In collaboration with New Romney Town Councillors, various sites around the town were considered. Church Square was selected due to the central location, wide pavement and the connection to existing heritage interpretation materials on display in this vicinity; in particular, connecting the new artwork to the town’s Heritage Trail, mural trail, and the RMHCT’s audio guide for nearby St. Nicholas’ Church. The church draws visitors from all over the world, which would help generate interest; and the tower can be seen for miles, making the new obelisk artwork easy to locate.

IDEAS FROM THE COMMUNITY

Yolanda and John worked with the Town Councillors to agree the shape and dimensions for the obelisk. The team was keen to include design elements that were in keeping with the town’s Heritage Trail, incorporating elements from the heritage trail emblem; St. Nicholas’ Church, a ship, Romney sheep and fish - these elements form a key part of New Romney’s historical story.

A callout for ideas from the local community was also issued via local newspaper The Looker, on social media, through project partners and the Houston’s community networks. The team also looked back through ideas and suggestions that were submitted for the original Marsh Mosaics project (see above). Ideas included historical themes and local well-known people.

Back at the studio, the artistic team and a community panel of volunteers refined the ideas into designs that would eventually be suitable for tile mosaic.

Experienced mosaic artists began work on some of the more detailed elements such as buildings, to help give structure and convey a sense of the overall design and colour palette for community participants. This work also demonstrated the level of detail that could be achieved, to inspire participants!

Some tricky shapes were pre-cut so that people with less manual dexterity could fix this in position later. A major aim of the project was to include people of different ability levels.

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

Free participatory workshops were arranged with a variety of local community partners. 442 participants ranged from experienced professional artists to total beginners, from ages 3 to 94! Participants learned about the art of mosaic making and the heritage themes within the design. Activities were designed to be suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities - those with more experience and confidence worked on the detailed areas, while those with less physical dexterity helped lay larger pre-cut sections of tile.

Approximately 65% of participants were under 18, 20% were elderly, 10% were middle aged and 5% were young adults. By offering these workshops for free in accessible venues workshops reached a wide audience. As well as offering sessions to the general public, community partners helped reach marginalised groups such as socially-isolated and elderly people, neurodiverse & physically/mentally impaired people; members of the LGBTQIA+ community and ethnic minorities.

Many participants practised by making coasters or fish decorations, wish they were able to take away afterwards.

Workshops for children and young people were organised for St. Nicholas’ Primary School, Greatstone Primary School, New Romney Brownies and Beavers and Marsh Academy/Marsh Leisure Centre Summer School.

To ensure marginalised and isolated communities could also take part, workshops were organised for other community partners including Romney Marsh Community Hub, South Kent MIND, a local LGBTQIA+ group, Sandgate Drop-in Centre and in the nearby rural village of Ivychurch.

General public and family workshops were held at St. Nicholas’ Church, New Romney Country Fayre, Marsh Leisure Centre and Teach Me Studios in New Romney. Invited attendees included local artists, Town Councillors and members of the New Romney History Society.

METALWORK

Meanwhile, Sam the Blacksmith got to work creating the metalwork structure that would hold the mosaic panels. The metalwork includes finer sculpted details inspired by the wildlife and heritage of Romney Marsh. The fit of the panels was tested. Braced for strength, a hollow space was also left inside for a time capsule.

FINISHING AND GROUTING

Back at the studio, the artistic team finished off the final sections adding fine detail and explanatory labels. Rough edges were smoothed over and the entire panels carefully grouted - a painstaking process to fill every crack and crevice, ensuring no water penetration.

THE INSTALLATION AND UNVEILING

The artwork was installed during November 2024 on a beautiful sunny day and then kept under cover. A few days later, 72 people braved terrible weather to attend an unveiling event in collaboration with the Town Council. The Town Mayor cut the ribbon with golden scissors, officially unveiling the obelisk. After having a look at the community mosaic, attendees headed inside the Assembly Rooms to enjoy a talk from Ann Bidwell (New Romney Heritage Collection), music from local folk musician Greg Ireland and end-of-project celebrations.

Further photographs and a short film coming soon.