News: Scots Guards artwork to be part of Gallery Town in Rotherham

Artwork celebrating the recent visit of the Regimental Band of the Scots Guards will feature in the next phase of Gallery Town in Rotherham town centre.

The world famous band marched through the town centre in their traditional bearskin hats and grey coats and performed a static display in All Saints’ Square last month. Spectators came out to line the streets and watch the performance, usually reserved for Buckingham Palace and the Trooping of the Colour.


The Band of the Scots Guards went on to perform at a Burns Night fundraising event at Magna in Rotherham, where around £20,000 was raised for PHASE, a charity that works to improve the lives of remote Himalayan communities, and The Scots Guards Colonel's Fund, which supports injured guardsmen.

A large piece of art measuring 4.5m x 6m was unveiled on the day. It was a reproduction of the overall winning entry in a competition where all of the category winners' work will feature in the next phase of Gallery Town in Rotherham town centre.

The overall winning entry was by Emma Haigh of E.M.S. Graphics Ltd in Rotherham and features iconic images of marching soldiers using the distinctive colours of red, black and white from the full-dress uniform of the Scots Guards. It also incorporates verses from the Robert Burns ballad, The Soldier's Return.

Emma Haigh, said: "It was an honour that my work was chosen as the winning piece. Seeing it displayed in such a fashion is possibly the most exciting experience as an artist and producing it in aid of such a prestigious event for Rotherham makes it so special.

"The Scots Guards visit was an amazing event which I thoroughly enjoyed. I would like to say a big thank you to Martin Horst at Rainforest Graphics and The Gallery Town project for reproducing my artwork."

After playing a key role on the day, her artwork will now act as a reminder of the historic event by becoming part of the next phase of Rotherham's Gallery Town project.

An open air art gallery has been created to help regenerate Rotherham town centre and increase the number of visitors.

Emma's Scots Guard piece will join other large works of art, totalling 60 in all (by Rotherham students, local artists and some of the world's greatest painters) which have already been installed in key locations around the town as part of the first phase.

Plans are now underway to refresh the artwork on display, much like in a traditional art gallery.

Rotherham-based nationwide recruiter, Stafforce, sponsored the Burns Night event and helped organise proceedings.

Nick Cragg, chairman of Stafforce and member of the Rotherham LSP Board, is also spearheading the Gallery Town project. He said: "Emma's artwork is a fitting tribute to an event that was unique to Rotherham.

"By adding the piece to the Gallery Town collection, it will serve as a reminder for the local community and visitors to the town centre of what was a proud day."

Gallery Town website

Images: gallerytown.org.uk