Trust to move mother and child statue after outcry

Chalice Well Trustees have moved the the Mother and Child Statue to a new location

A board of trustees has apologised after a decision to remove a mother and child statue from Chalice Well Garden left visitors feeling "heartbroken and betrayed."

The statue was gifted to the Chalice Wells garden in Glastonbury by artist Ganesh Bhat and was located in the Sanctuary by the wellhead.

The statue is a replica of the original piece sculpted by artist Eric Gill, a sculptor whose diaries revealed the sustained sexual abuse of his two eldest daughters.

The new board of trustees at Chalice Wells said it chose to remove the statue to avoid upsetting individuals who may be aware of its connections and to maintain a neutral space.

In an updated statement released on Monday, the Trust said it had moved the statue to a new private location near the meadow.

The Mother and Child statue was created by artist Ganesh Bhat and was inspired by the works of Eric Gill

Many residents and visitors have taken to social media to express their disappointment over the decision. A petition has been launched which has so far received more than 3,000 signatures, calling for the statue to be relocated.

The petition was launched by Jenny Henry from South Wales, who visits the gardens several times a day.

"People are just heartbroken and betrayed," said Ms Henry, who explained that the sculpture represents the holy mother and child and is symbolic of "sacred femininity".

"What's important to remember is that to some, it can be seen as the Virgin Mother and Jesus, and to some it's the Isis Goddess or a non religious but archetype of motherhood, family, love and ancestry," she said,

Ms Henry said the sculpture's new location is 'inappropriate'

Ms Henry said she recently visited the Mother and Child Statue in its new location near the meadow, but said she does not believe it to be a suitable location.

"The Mother is exposed to the elements and bird droppings and is not on a stable base.

"The location also does not have disabled access. Overwhelmingly visitors are stating they wish for Her to return to the shrine."

In a statement, the Chalice Wells Trust said: "We are so very sorry that our decision to remove two statues from the Chalice Well garden has caused much distress to many of our visitors, supporters and Companions.

"What we underestimated was how important the Mother and Child statue is to a huge number of people as a symbol of solace, a place of grace during times of loss, a focal point for prayer and meditation, a representation of the sacred feminine."

The trustees said that the statue is currently in a private garden that will be opened to the public soon.

The Trust also plans to invite local sculptors to offer their designs for a replacement statue in the Sanctuary, where the Mother and Child sculpture used to stand.