Flight of the Swan

Stainless steel and brick have come together in the Swan Legacy, a new landmark sculpture in Bedford’s Marston Vale area. The sculpture, which shows two swans soaring 15m above the vale’s chimneys and trees, is the work of local artist Susannah Oliver. Barnshaws Steel Bending was responsible for curving the stainless steel tubing used to support the flying swans.

The sculpture marks the regeneration of the area, and recalls the chimneys of the brick works that used to dominate the area. Former clay pits are now lakes for wildlife and form part of 40ha of woodland and open space for the local community.

Swan Legacy is situated adjacent to Marsh Leys Distribution Park on the A421, and cost in the region of £230,000. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Green Space fund contributed to the cost.