Battle roundabout featuring sculpture by Festival 2016 artist-in-residence comes second in British Roundabout of the Year Award 2017
September 27, 2017

Battle’s roundabout featuring a sculpture by Battle Festival 2016 artist-in-residence Guy Portelli, has been announced as Runner Up in the British Roundabout of the Year Award 2017.

The award was announced by the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society on Wednesday 27 September, with Battle coming in second place to Bolton’s ‘The Spirit of Sport’ Roundabout.

Battle’s roundabout, which is located by the town’s fire station, will now be included in both the Best of British Roundabout 2018 calendar out this autumn, in the October slot, and the Roundabouts of the World 2018 publication, both published by the UK Roundabouts Appreciation Society.

The sculpture, which was unveiled in November 2016 to mark the 950th anniversary of the famous battle, depicts a Norman soldier on horseback being attacked by a Saxon, an opening scene from the Battle of Hastings.

The design was picked from 60 entries following a public competition and a crowdfunding campaign to make and erect the Memorial. Battle residents were invited to get involved in the creative process by fixing mosaic tiles onto the soldiers’ shields during public workshops.

Sculptor Guy Portelli is a resident artist at Saffron Gallery in Battle, and became a familiar face to many following his 2008 appearance on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, where he secured an £80,000 investment to back his Pop Icon collection, from the millionaire ‘Dragons’.

David Furness, Chairman of Battle Festival and Battle Town Mayor, who spearheaded the campaign to bring the statue to the town, says “This is great for Battle, we are delighted to be in the calendar and second place is a real honour for the town. Many thanks to all who contributed so generously and those who gave moral and practical support. The statue has won the hearts of residents and is loved by visitors to our lovely town, All we want now is another roundabout to build on in Battle!”

Battle Festival 2017 runs throughout October and includes a plethora of events spanning music, visual art, literature, film, poetry, comedy, food, and family entertainment.