We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our Carving Department, with current MA Carving student and Stone Carving Tutor Nina Bilbey, and alumni Charlotte Howarth, Kate Holmes and Sue Apherhis.
Together with James Spedding and Roger Foyster of Holkham Forge, they form the artist collective The Abraxas Academy, the creative team behind the newly unveiled LGBTQ+ Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
The memorial’s forged bronze sculpture, An Opened Letter, incorporates words drawn from the letters of service personnel affected by the ban on LGBTQ+ people serving in the military, which was only lifted in 2000.
Symbolising the oath of allegiance, the discarded evidence of injustice and the comfort of letters from home, An Opened Letter stands as a powerful and moving tribute, a space for reflection, remembrance and recognition of the experiences and sacrifices of LGBTQ+ service members.
The commission followed a national competition to design a permanent memorial for the Arboretum. Out of 38 proposals, five were shortlisted, with The Abraxas Academy’s design chosen as the winner. The announcement was made at an event marking the 25th anniversary of the lifting of the ban.
The memorial was unveiled by King Charles III in his first official engagement in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described it as “a lasting tribute to the bravery and service of these veterans”.