Audio Guide
24. Pavilion
Walking past the Isis building, you come to the East Pavilion which is now sadly boarded up. This three-sided rectangular structure featured a veranda facing the gardens and was surrounded by trees. Built in the 1870s, it was used to provide shelter from the rain for patients taking a stroll in the hospital grounds, and for picnics.
The West Pavilion, demolished in 1971, overlooked the tennis courts. Sports, including tennis, cricket, football and croquet were an important aspect of patients’ daily lives. There were Warneford teams for both cricket and football, consisting of both patients and staff, and an annual sports day was held in the summer.
Image: West Pavilion overlooking the tennis courts photographed in 1909; early 20C cricket match (OHA)
25. Sculpture Trail
Looking towards the main hospital building, to left of the driveway, you can see a series of sculptures on the lawn. The sculptures were created and installed to mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2008. The theme of the project was “Transitions and Thresholds” and involved five artists each working with a different group at the hospital. The project was funded by Artscape and the Arts Council for England.
The oak sculpture is by Janine Bell, who worked with teenagers from the Highfield Child and Adolescent Unit. The images within the work came from a series of workshops and a response to the concerns of these young people. The sculpture is intended to be attractive and show positive images as well as reflect fears in a symbolic way.
The flowing glass sculpture is by Rosalind Waites. It comprises a vitreous glass mosaic applied to five stainless steel waves that undulate down a gentle slope. The sculpture was inspired by Walt Whitman’s poem: ‘As I Ebb’d with the Ocean of Life’.
Images: Photos of sculptures on the drive (from Tom) – just use the wood & mosaic
