Glenrothes town art row flares up again after another sculpture goes walkabout

A row over the relocation of town art in Glenrothes seems set to rumble on after another sculpture was moved at the weekend.

Rexie at his new home on the roundabout.

By Craig Smith
Published in the Courier : 09.03.11
Published online : 09.03.11 @ 08.16am

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The Courier reported how a well-loved dinosaur sculpture, known as Rexie, was two weeks ago moved from Waverley Drive to Caskieberran roundabout — to the dismay of residents — with a protest song even written about the issue.

That move sparked anger from town MSP Tricia Marwick, who was assured by Fife Council the relocation would not go ahead until the public were fully consulted. However, in the last few days the Horse and Chariot sculpture in Caskieberran has been moved.

This has infuriated Mrs Marwick who has campaigned on behalf of Glenrothes residents to ensure their town art is protected and remains at the heart of their communities.

She said, "This latest decision by Fife Council officials shows they are treating the people of Caskieberran with total contempt. I was contacted by numerous residents of Waverley Drive who cannot believe their sculptures are being removed from their community in this manner. This is simply unacceptable.

"I would have thought Fife Council would have realised the anger there is among the people of Glenrothes about their decision to remove our town art following the numerous representations I have made to them, the 150-plus petition delivered to their officials and subsequent local media coverage on this matter.

"The people of Glenrothes must have their say about the long-term future of these sculptures. I demand that Fife Council do a full consultation into this with our townsfolk and then agree to return these much-loved sculptures to their rightful homes."

Glenrothes area committee agreed in December that six pieces of public artwork had been identified for repair and relocation by the council, including sculptures depicting giant hands, a picture frame, a giant mushroom, and elephants.

Glenrothes has nearly 150 pieces of public art scattered throughout the town and, in taking the decision, Fife Council stressed that some of the artworks had deteriorated over the years owing to age and vandalism.

Continued...