2018-2022 Children Displaced by Conflict

Click here to see The Children Displaced by Conflict Final Exhibition

2018-2022

Children Displaced by Conflict; the heritage of Eglantyne Jebb, the founder of Save the Children

Project Summary

Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative received Heritage Lottery and Arts Council England grant funding for this project to commemorate the centenary of the international aid charity, Save the Children founded by Ellesmere sisters, Eglantyne Jebb and Dorothy Buxton.

In May 1919 the sisters organised a public meeting in the Royal Albert Hall, London as a response to the plight of displaced and suffering children across Central Europe after the First World War. A few days before the meeting, Eglantyne had been arrested and fined for handing out leaflets in Trafalgar Square. These leaflets featured a picture of an emaciated German child.

Through the project, Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative, aimed to commemorate the centenary of the charity's launch and to celebrate the lasting heritage of two remarkable women whose legacy continues to this day. It would also aim to highlight the work of Save the Children around the world and demonstrate how the organisation continues to save many thousands of children's lives 100 years after it was established by these two sisters from Shropshire.

The project began in December 2018 with a series of community and school workshops, involving seven local schools, and a research programme. Using art and stories, the workshop participants were asked to imagine living as a refugee, alone and frightened, after being forced to leave their home.

The research and products of the workshops were used to inform and inspire the concept and design of a landmark sculptural installation as a testament to the sisters' achievements as compassionate, visionary pioneers. Their legacy of supporting countless displaced child refugees continues to be just as significant to this day.

From 2020 Jebb Garden has developed. This garden is situated within Cremorne Gardens near the Mere in Ellesmere. It includes 3 sculptures, 'The Sisters', representing Eglantyne and Dorothy, by Nick Eames, and 'Refuge' by John Merrill; which is set in a grass and stone labyrinth to symbolise the perilous journeys taken by child refugees.

In 2022 the third art work of calligraphy carved into stone by John Neilson 'The Rights of the Child' will be installed to commemorate the centenary of Eglantyne first draft of The Rights of The Child in 1922

An extremely important aspect of the project has been the high level of volunteer, partner and community engagement and support. This has enabled the project to truly achieve its aims of raising community awareness and creating a lasting legacy.

https://www.lmh.ox.ac.uk/news/90-years-remembering-eglantyne-jebb

2 Jebb Garden