On 27 May, the Stoneydown Speakers’ Corner Committee chose a design following four presentations by student teams from the prestigious Central St Martins College of Art & Design and also elected James O’Rourke, the former Ward Councillor who has been a driving force behind the project, as its chair.
The winning design Stepping Stones designed by Hayley Clack, Stephanie Romig and Yoo Kyeong, is multifunctional, creating not only a Speakers’ Corner but also seating and tables, some of which feature board games such as chess. The design also acknowledges the work of William Morris who lived much of his life nearby on Forest Road. A copy of the presentations for each of the designs can be found on the Designing Speakers’ Corners page.
Speaking after the meeting, Claire Tansley of the Friends of Stoneydown Park who is also a member of the Speakers’ Corner Committee, said:
“We’re delighted with our choice but it was really difficult to make. All the designs were of such high standard and they all had so much to offer both the park and the community. In the end we decided on one which can be used as seating and even a picnic and games area when it’s not a Speakers’ Corner. So it really does have something for everyone.”
“We’re really looking forward to launching our Speakers’ Corner when it’s installed later this year. It’ll be a new focal point for the park but it will also provide an important platform for our community and I hope it’s going to be in regular use.”
Jayne Cominetti, headteacher of Stoneydown Primary School and another Committee member, added:
“The design competition has been a great experience for the children. They not only had their say when the students started work but also about the finished products. Now we’re looking forward not just to seeing it in the park but using it as well. In fact we’ve just had training in public speaking from the English Speaking Union so we’re hopeful that the next generation of great orators will be Walthamstow children!”
Chair of the Stoneydown Speakers’ Corner Committee, James O’Rourke, added:
“We were really impressed by the thoughtfulness and imagination of all the schemes we saw last night and it’s so exciting that our park and our community are going to benefit from the talent of some of the best of a new generation of designers.”
The design is to be installed as part of a package of enhancements which the Council will be undertaking in the park during the summer and Cllr Chris Robbins, Waltham Forest Council Leader, said:
“This is a real community initiative and I’m so glad that the Council has been able to play its part in it. We need to hear the voices of local people and I’m very excited about the platform we’re helping to provide in Stoneydown Park.”
Children from Stoneydown and St Patrick’s Primary Schools helped launch the first permanent speakers’ corner in London for nearly 150 years in Stoneydown Park.
