Strata Florida Community Group/ Grŵp Cymunedol Ystrad Fflur

Re-erecting the Pilgrim statue on Penlan hill overlooking Strata Florida

The Strata Florida Community Group has been formed to work on projects with the community in the Strata Florida area.

Our current project is to re-erect the Pilgrim statue on the hill overlooking Strata Florida.

In 2012 as part of an Open Day event at Strata Florida, Sculpture Cymru was invited by the Strata Florida Trust to create and exhibit some pieces which might reflect the history and meaning of the place in the landscapes of central Wales in the lee of the Cambrian Mountains. Little of this remains as it was all deliberately intended to consist of ephemeral expressions of the themes identified. However, one piece did survive and became a popular and well-known icon not only of Strata Florida and its place in Welsh history, but also of Ceredigion: the Pilgrim standing on the top of Penlan, a prominent hill immediately to the east of the Abbey remains. It attracted much attention throughout Wales and further afield, and became an established part of the community’s landscape.

By early 2019 the Pilgrim was still temporary in form and structure, but actually permanent in the public perception.

Then in September 2019 a high wind blew it over. The re-creation of a new, stronger, permanent Pilgrim could be an important icon of revival at a place which has such powerful resonances for the language, cultural and political identity of the nation.

What your gift could provide

£30

An hour of the artists time to work on the Pilgrim sculpture

£50

Materials towards the the re-erection of the Pilgrim

£100

Specialist equipment and design for the re-erection of the Pilgrim