Ware Train Station Mosaic
A mosaic has been unveiled at Greater Anglia’s Ware station in Hertfordshire.
The artwork, which is on the platform near the station’s entrance, reads “Welcome to Ware.” It shows colourful flowers, butterflies, a narrowboat, swans and cygnets along with bees, trees and a river.
The three-metre long mosaic was created over seven months and uses hundreds of hand-cut tiles which included handmade ceramics, glass and mirrored elements.
It is the joint work of The New River Line Community Rail Partnership which promotes the railway in the local area, designer Donna Reeves, and around 30 members of the local Always Bee You charity. Always Bee You is a charity that enables adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues to access the opportunities, skills, and support they need.
Donna, who owns the & By Donna Reeves shop in Ware, led months of workshops and showed the group how to cut tiles, make ceramics, and how to construct the mosaic on mesh.
The new finished mosaic at Ware
The mosaic with Jo Radcliffe (far left), Donna Reeves (far right), Katie Goldthorpe (back with sunglasses) and charity members.
“We loved making the mosaic together, with our group learning new skills and meeting up with each other to chat at the same time. Seeing our artists create something so beautiful was wonderful. They even signed their names on each of the bee tiles they made that are now part of the mosaic, so they can see their work at the station. Many people with disabilities & mental health issues leave school with no qualifications or hope for the future. This project has built their confidence & showcased the artistic skills & talents of people with learning disabilities through creative arts.”
— Jo Radcliffe, CEO of Always Bee You“We are so pleased that the mosaic is on display for all visitors to Ware station to enjoy and that the project has been such a success.
It was a real team effort from everyone involved and it really shows off the beauty of the area and the buzz as people come into the station and step off the trains has been brilliant".”
— Katie Goldthorpe, New River Line Community Rail Partnership Officer“The mosaic looks absolutely fantastic and is a lovely, bright addition to Ware station with lots of people stopping to admire it.
I would like to give a big thank you to the whole team involved in creating it. It is a truly great piece of art, of which everyone involved can be rightly proud.”
— Jack Robarts, Greater Anglia's Assistant Area Customer Service Manager for Ware Station“Railway stations are a gateway into their community and a reflection of the local pride of that place. We are pleased & proud to have been able to fund and support this stunning new mosaic at Ware station.
It perfectly captures the talent of the Always Bee You group and the skill of Donna Reeves - the artist who have jointly created this bright and inviting display. Passengers arriving at Ware will really feel that they are warmly welcomed to the town by this mosaic”
— Paul Webster, Regions Support Manager at Community Rail Network