‘Best Friends’, which celebrates the Trust’s 25th birthday, is a playful bronze sculpture of a child gently holding a dog’s face. Created by animal sculptor Tanya Russell MRBS, it marks the contribution made by the Trust to Archbishop’s Park and recognises the many ways dogs enrich people’s lives. Cast in foundry bronze and mounted on a granite plinth, the sculpture can be found near the southeast entrance and is designed to be enjoyed up close.
Lord David Blunkett, who walks his dog in the park and is a recognised face in the community, unveiled the sculpture.
Helen Lees, Chair of the Archbishop’s Park Community Trust said: “We are really impressed with the expressions captured by the sculptor, and we have worked hard on its installation. Over the past 25 years, we have helped to make significant improvements to the environment of the park and have independently raised nearly £1.4 million in grants and volunteer contribution. We hope this sculpture will become a much-loved part of the park—a place where children, families, dog walkers and visitors can pause and connect.”
Councillor Natalie Kane, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Inclusion, Democracy and Culture, said: “This is such a beautiful sculpture, and it captures the relationship between dogs and their owners perfectly. Thank you so much to Archbishop’s Park Community Trust for funding such a wonderful addition to this already gorgeous park. We have so many stunning parks in Lambeth and it’s so great to get another outstanding focal point in a wonderful space.”
The Lord David Blunkett said: “I am humbled to have been asked to say a few words at the unveiling of the wonderful sculpture, crafted by Tanya Russell, who has become renowned for her depiction of animals, and, in this case – one which is very close to my heart – dogs.
As a guide dog owner, a dog lover and someone who, above everything else, reflects and rejoices in the relationship between owner and dog, I’m so pleased that this memorial stands as a permanent example of what this park is about.
I can only say how wonderful it is to see the active citizenship, commitment to community and to the environment by so many people who helped to create and sustain the Community Trust, and develop the Friends of Archbishop Park – which has made it such a haven of tranquillity, and an oasis which is accessible and incredibly well used for sport, walking and just sitting and watching the world go by.
It is a wonderful testament to self-help and pride in place that £1.4 million has been raised by those who have been prepared to go the extra mile. We should rejoice in the sculpture and in the example of how all of us can make a contribution, no matter how small, to the world being a better place to live in.”
