A thought-provoking sculpture is making a beeline for Gloucester from 16 – 20 February to spark discussions with young people about the dangers of weapons and violence, and to encourage people to become active bystanders.
Made from weapons seized off the streets, this unique monument is the creation of the British Ironwork Centre and will be a catalyst for conversations among young people about crime and violence. The Bee marks one year since the Knife Angel came to Gloucester Cathedral, when the resulting conversations contributed to a 50% increase in information about criminal activity being reported through Crimestoppers at that time. The independent charity provides young people with a safe place to give information about crime 100% anonymously. The Bee’s tour of the city and county aims to encourage people to speak up – particularly if they’re worried about a friend or sibling involved in violence or in danger of being drawn into violence.
Funded by the Knife Angel Legacy Fund, Crimestoppers and Gloucester BID, the Bee is being supported by partners across the city of Gloucester and Gloucestershire, including: The Hollie Gazzard Trust, The Music Works, Hundred Heroines, Gloucester CitySafe, Nettl, 1st Call Plant Ltd, Gloucestershire College and Hartpury University and College.
The Bee will tour the city from Friday 16 February. Its journey begins in Kings Square alongside the Music Works Bus and an emotive exhibition ‘Malevolence’, put together by Hundred Heroines in Kings Walk, which is highlighting different aspects of gender-based violence. It will then buzz to Gloucester Cathedral Green on Saturday 17 February, where it’ll be accompanied by the Music Works Bus, free Bee themed craft activities and the Hollie Gazzard Trust. The Hollie Gazzard Trust was created following the murder of Hollie Gazzard in 2014 by an abusive ex-partner, and campaigns against gender-based violence and knife crime. The arrival of The Bee comes at a significant time for the city of Gloucester as it marks the 10th anniversary of the 20-year-old’s death.
The last chance for the public to view The Bee will be at the Docks on Sunday 18 February, before it visits educational sites across the county to continue to deliver its anti-violence message. A programme of community-based activities will accompany its time in Gloucester, including a bee trail across the city. A dedicated website will provide key information about the Anti-Violence Bee Monument, as well as the events scheduled to support the aim of education and awareness.
Canon Rebecca Lloyd, Canon Chancellor and Director of Learning and Participation at Gloucester Cathedral said:
“It’s a great privilege for us at Gloucester Cathedral to be hosting the Bee. We were blown away by the response to Knife Angel last year and its positive impact on our local community and have been administering the Knife Angel Legacy Fund with our partners to continue the work of youth violence prevention. As part of the Legacy, we recently hosted two Youth Action Summits to bring together young people and partners from across the city to look at how we make Gloucester a safer and better place for young people to be. We are now looking forward to bringing the Bee to Gloucester and to further action and improve the safety and lives of all of us here. Please do come and see the Bee and get involved in the Knife Angel’s legacy of greater peace and safety for all on our streets and in our homes.”
The Knife Angel Legacy Fund was set up to ensure vital work around raising awareness and preventing violent crime in Gloucestershire can continue. You can donate to the fund here.
Further information about the monument is available on the official British Ironwork website.
Image credit: British Ironwork Centre
