New Sculpture Unveiled

Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Martin Round, officially unveiled the new sculpture on Penenden Heath

New art sculpture, ‘The Meeting Point’, installed on Penenden Heath

A new sculpture was unveiled on Thursday 30 October 2025, depicting the legacy of community and cohesion in Penenden Heath.

The artwork is named ‘The Meeting Point’ and assembles three figures from across different centuries, representing the Heath’s function as a place to come together throughout time. It has been proudly installed in the Penenden Heath History Garden.

The sculpture unites a Royalist Cavalier from the 1600s, a Victorian cricketer and a wise healer woman.

During the 16th century, these healers would often be mistaken as witches. Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) Councillors have recently written to government urging for the introduction of legislation that would grant a general pardon to hundreds of women executed under the Witchcraft Act (1562) at sites including Penenden Heath. The inclusion of the healer woman in this artwork is a tribute to their history.

Commenting on the sculpture, Cllr Stephen Thompson, MBC Cabinet Member for Healthier Stronger Communities, said: “'The Meeting Point’ represents everything that Penenden Heath stands for: community and collaboration, while also acknowledging some of the darker sides of history. It is my hope that everyone who sees this artwork is inspired by the central role of the Heath in the story of Maidstone.”

The figures stand on a Civil War drum, rallied together by its call to meet, with historic Maidstone dates inscribed on the plinth. The sculpture has been constructed out of mild steel and galvanised with zinc to provide up to 80 years of corrosion-free protection, ensuring that it is an artwork to be enjoyed and to provoke thought and reflection for generations to come.

MBC has worked with artists Thomas and Gary Thrussell to create this sculpture, which has been inspired by the history of the Heath, as well as comments from local residents earlier this year. Those that joined the interactive workshops generated ideas and shared what the area means to them. The final creation is a lasting local monument that has been created by the community, for the community.

Thrussell’s work is recognisable in Maidstone’s artistic scene, having designed and installed the Iguanodon dinosaur at Maidstone East train station and the playful characters that form the Magical Beasts sculpture trail.

Speaking about this latest creation, Thomas Thrussell said, “As we created this sculpture, a set of shared values naturally emerged: helping one another, coming together to protect, to heal, and to play.

“We were honoured to be appointed to create this unique sculpture for Penenden Heath; a truly playful reimagining of historic moments in the Heath’s story. Each character carries its own tale, and we took great joy in bringing them to life through our artistic practice.

“We feel these figures now live on, continuing to share their stories, this time in a spirit of care, community, and playfulness.”

Detail from the new sculpture

MBC prioritises ‘Fairer Economy for People and Planet’ with a refreshed Arts and Culture Strategy for the borough, and projects such as ‘The Meeting Point’ help to build Pride in Place, encourage the arts and celebrate Maidstone’s heritage.