Red Kite sculpture is finishing touch to £350,000 rail station revamp

Red kite produced by Frederic Chevarin at Haddenham and Thame Parkway Station

The extensive project has involved enhancements to pedestrian walkways, resurfacing of the main footbridge, replacement of shelters on platforms and at the bus interchange, new cycle repair facilities, enhanced CCTV coverage and security monitoring facilities and painting of the station exterior.

The sculpture of the popular bird of prey in flight, which is often seen above the station, is made of Creeton limestone and has been delicately cut and carved into shape with lines drawn on the stone to give detail and a feeling of movement.

Mr Chevarin has exhibited his work up and down the country and abroad, including recently at the Chelsea Flower Show.

He is a Member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors (MRBS) and a member of the Oxford Art Society. Perfectly connected to the development of the new rail link, he is also a construction designer working on the new line between Oxford and London Marylebone.

He said: “I hope this sculpture will inspire commuters to take a minute to stop and think.

The theme central to my research is movement and harmony. The ability to animate limestone, marble and alabaster is almost an obsession for me.

Red Kite captures the essence of flight and the idea of gliding freely in the air. It certainly feels like the right home as during installation we noticed three red kites circling above it.”

Graham Cross, business development director at Chiltern Railways said: “The sculpture felt right for this station as red kites are constantly seen flying in the area; Haddenham and Thame Parkway also acts as the gateway to local nature attractions such as the Snakemoor nature reserve and St Tiggywinkles rescue centre.

“The Red Kite sculpture completes the improvement programme we’ve been making and we hope our customers are pleased with the transformation.”

For more information about this project, please www.chilternrailways.co.uk/haddenham-project and for more information about Frederic Chevarin, visit: www.frederic-chevarin.com.