The Waterfront Garden runs alongside the River Ouse. A winding path leads from the Amphitheatre (photograph below) to the foot of the A19 road bridge and includes a “Timeline” of metallic strips – the work of sculptor Ailsa Magnus – that refer to key events in Selby’s history.
Prominent in the area is the sculpture “ReLaunch” featuring four figures important in Selby’s history:-
- a Monk (referencing Abbot Benedict and the Abbey)
- a Miller (Selby’s agricultural links, and the mills that used to line the River Ouse)
- a Miner (recalling the Selby Coalfield)
- a Marine Engineer (representing the 500 years of shipbuilding on the Ouse).
The sculpture (photograph below showing the monk and the miner) sits on a plinth of hand-made bricks designed to show the river wave or aegir – another piece of Magnus’ work. Laid out with specimen planting and benches, the area is a pleasant place to relax.
The whole development won a Civic Society “Good Design” award in 2010.
For more information click on this link: Waterfront Garden
