Sherington is a historic village, with a population of just under 1000, which lies within a designated Area of Attractive Landscape just two miles northwest of Newport Pagnell and five miles northeast of Central Milton Keynes. In 2019, thirty-six new homes were built on land adjacent to Sherington High Street and funding from the developers was identified to help mitigate the impact of these homes on the village through the creation of a public artwork.
In November 2024, Milton Keynes Arts Centre, acting on behalf of Milton Keynes City Council, began working with Sherington residents in agreeing and writing a commissioning brief. This brief stipulated that any commissioned artwork must respect the village’s rural location, celebrate the sense of community and engage residents in its creation. The brief also indicated that the artwork should be permanent and made from natural materials.
Twenty-seven artists responded to an open call for Expressions of Interest in the commission in May2025. Sherington residents and Parish Council then worked with Milton Keynes Arts Centre is shortlisting and interviewing three artists in July. The breadth and calibre of applications for the commission was outstanding but the quality of Charlotte Howarth’s work, her approach to community engagement and experience of managing public art projects particularly impressed the interview panel.
Cllr. Vic Kitchingham, from Sherington Parish Council stated: “We are very excited at the prospect of working with Charlotte and to creating an artwork that captures something of the essence of Sherington and what makes the village so special to all who live here.”
Charlotte Howarth is one of the foremost letter-cutters currently working in the UK and has over 35 years of experience of creating exquisite artworks and memorials for public and private spaces. Charlotte has been commissioned to produce public works of national importance. She was part of the team who created the COVID Memorial in St Paul’s Cathedral and, in conjunction with the Cathedral Studios in Canterbury, the Donor Windows in the Queen’s Gallery at Westminster Abbey. She also has experience of more personal private commissions that celebrate and record the life of a loved one.
The artist has an extensive track record in working closely with communities in creating sympathetic and meaningful artworks. “I greatly enjoy the opportunities presented by such projects,” she says, “and find that getting to know communities, building trust, working alongside people in a positive and creative manner can be rewarding and enlightening for all involved.”
Of her approach to a brief, Charlotte Howarth says:“As an artist I am fascinated by concepts of identity and community and how these ideas are expressed in the public realm in terms of defining place, passing on stories and marking territory. I would define myself as a narrator and aim to highlight aspects of our existence in permanent works of art that will outlive us and leave a lasting record of our lives and times.”
Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, Cllr. Shanika Mahendran said: “This project is a wonderful example of how art can bring people together to celebrate local heritage. By working hand-in-hand with residents, Charlotte Howarth will create something that truly reflects Sherington’s unique character and will stand as a lasting testament to its community spirit.”
