WYCOMBE district council wants High Wycombe residents view on public art.

The council have launched a new Public Art strategy to ensure that public art in High Wycombe town centre is of the highest standard.

“We have a strong sense of identity and culture in the Wycombe district and we are keen to use public spaces as a forum for culturally expression, whether it's by commissioning works of public art, or holding festivals and special events” said Cllr Tony Green, Wycombe District Council Member for Younger and Older People.

“We are asking local people to comment on our draft Public Art Strategy – we want to make sure that it will lead us in the right direction” he added.

Public art can take the form of sculpture, commissioned art, landscape features, temporary events and performances or specially designed street furniture and lighting.

Yet pieces of public art already in the town centre have already caused controversy amongst residents.

The Whirligig, which spans the alley way next to the Hobgoblin pub in the towns High Street cost £14,000. Townsfolk branded it “horrible” and the cost of the sculpture as “outrageous”.

Frogmoor's fountain cost £100,000 to install and failed to work properly when in was unveiled in 2000. Since then the council have concreted over the parts.

More recently has been the introduction of the over sized flower pots on Frogmoor. Yet another waste of tax payers money, which could have gone towards a proper working fountain, a proper statue or the removal of graffiti across the town centre.

We want to hear your comments on the councils new strategy. What do you think about introducing more art into the streets of High Wycombe? What would you like to see happen in the town? Let us know.

Alternatively comments can be written and emailed directly to the council at: ivan@plan-art.co.uk