Poignant dragonflies display this summer set to remember those lost
A poignant art installation is set to grace the gardens of one of South Yorkshire’s most visited beauty spots to raise funds for a hospice.
A host of steel dragonflies will go on display at Cannon Hall gardens, near Barnsley, in July.
The dragonflies, all made by local sculptor George Fell, are for sale with all proceeds going to Barnsley Hospice.
For a suggested donation of at least £49, people can purchase a dragonfly which will form part of the display - and then keep it forever once the exhibition ends.
The campaign is particularly close to the heart of Mark Williams, a volunteer at Barnsley Hospice, whose wife Zena spent her last few days in the care of Barnsley Hospice.
Mr Williams said: “It means a lot this campaign - it’s very poignant and it touches the heartstrings.”
“My wife and I liked dragonflies and the fact that she had her last few days at the hospice is quite poignant that these dragonflies will help provide funding for the hospice.
“The fact it’s going to be at Cannon Hall will have a big impact on me. My wife and I loved going to Cannon Hall for walks together, particularly the walled garden. We used to sit in there quite a lot. To have a dragonfly in the spot where we used to sit and watch the world go by is wonderful.
“It’s great that it’ll be raising funds for the hospice. It’s a really good thing and I would imagine a lot of people will associate with dragonflies and Cannon Hall.”
Zena died in June 2024, having been cared for at the hospice, based in Gawber. Her husband now volunteers as a gardener at the site.
Mr Williams continued: “It means a lot to me to be able to give something back to the hospice as well as being able to work.
“It’s had a big impact on me and I’ve talked it through with my family and they think it’s fantastic. It means a lot to all of the family. “I’ll definitely be buying one of these lovely dragonflies in memory of Zena. I’ve got so many happy memories at Cannon Hall, even when she got too poorly to be able to walk.
“I took her there in a wheelchair and pushed her around the gardens. I remember her saying ‘You’ll never be able to push me up here to the walled garden’ but we did it and I have happy memories of us together.”
The exhibition will run from July 31 to August 20.
Laura Lawton, Barnsley Hospice’s Individual Giving Manager, says: “We’re really excited to see this beautiful installation at a place that means so much to so many of our staff, patients, volunteers and supporters.
“Our Dragonfly Appeal is a very poignant and meaningful campaign, as dragonflies are often seen as symbols of reassurance and a reminder that the people we love are never far away. it’s very fitting that each dragonfly is unique, just like the memories they will be representing.
“It will be wonderful to see so many visitors explore the installation, celebrate memories and take a moment to reflect. As we need to raise roughly two-thirds of our income every year at the hospice, ordering a dragonfly is a great way to help fund the specialist palliative care we provide.”