The Chalice Well in Glastonbury has issued an apology following the contentious removal of the Mother and Child statue from its gardens.

This move initially sparked a widespread outcry among visitors and local residents, leading to a swift response from the Trust.

Originally removed due to its resemblance to work by Eric Gill, a sculptor whose diaries revealed he had abused his daughters, the statue was intended to be taken down to prevent distress among visitors who might be aware of its background.

This connection to Gill led the new board of trustees, recently informed of the link, to conclude that the statue's presence was potentially harmful.

However, the Chalice Well Trust has recognised that the decision to remove the statue was made without adequate consultation with the community, acknowledging many's deep connection with the sculpture as a symbol of solace and the sacred feminine.

To address the situation, the Trust has relocated the statue to a new setting near the Meadow, in an area that is transitioning from private to public access. This move aims to provide a space where individuals can continue to engage with the statue without causing distress to others.

Additionally, the Trust has planned further changes, including introducing new sculptures and dedicated spaces within the Sanctuary to represent better and support all visitors' views and beliefs.

The Chalice Well Trust invites the public to visit the new location of the Mother and Child statue and to participate in the discussions about future additions to the garden, ensuring that it remains a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

You can read their statement in full here:

A HEART-FELT APOLOGY FROM THE TRUSTEES

We are so very sorry that our decision to remove two statues from the Chalice Well garden has caused much distress to many of our visitors, supporters and Companions. 

As Trustees we have met, discussed, meditated and discerned, as well as listened to the huge outpouring of concern and distress by so many of you. Thank you to everyone who has written to us directly.

We apologise unreservedly for the manner in which we took a very complex and difficult decision.

We acknowledge we have made a mistake. We fully recognise that we should have consulted, taken more time and sought the wisdom of staff, companions and visitors before making such a momentous decision. We want to make the situation as "right" as we can, and to honour the different perspectives. We offer our collective apology from a place of humility, learning and genuine service. We misjudged the devotion of people locally, and from all over the world, who experience Chalice Well as a sacred sanctuary, with the statues as a key part of their experience.

A range of views have been expressed in different forums and we have read most, if not all of them.

We did not make it clear enough in our public statements that the consideration at the core of our decision was the fact that the Mother and Child was an exact replica of a statue at Glastonbury Abbey that was carved by Eric Gill, a known and self-confessed serial sexual abuser. The artist who created the statue and donated it to Chalice Well did so many years ago, out of a genuine love for the Well. The Eric Gill connection was only brought to the attention of the current trustees very recently. We have also been made aware of how the statue re-traumatises survivors of sexual abuse when they visit the garden, when they are aware of the statue being a copy of an Eric Gill sculpture. We felt it had no place in the Sanctuary near the wellhead and we wanted to remove the potential for abuse survivors to be triggered or traumatised. Considering their wellbeing was key to our decision making. Our intention was love, sensitivity and concern for a group who often go unheard and are often without a voice.

There has been significant support from victims/survivors of sexual abuse and from others who support the Trustees' decision based on the Eric Gill context and considerations, including those who have written or spoken with us openly about their difficulties with the statue.

What we underestimated was how important the Mother and Child statue is to a huge number of people as a symbol of solace, a place of grace during times of loss, a focal point for prayer and meditation, a representation of the sacred feminine. We now understand this more clearly. 

Separately, a concern was raised about having a Goddess statue in the garden. We then took a further step to decide to have no specific iconography in the garden, which on reflection was a step too far and distracted from the Eric Gill focus. It was never the intention of Trustees to dishonour the sacred feminine, especially as there are Trustees who have a strong connection to the sacred feminine and Goddess. We really are so sorry that our good intentions have led to sadness and concerns for so many of you who love Chalice Well. We endeavour to serve everyone, and we are overwhelmed and very moved by the outpouring of the feelings so many have expressed.

We are taking the actions listed below to respond to the petition and the many voices and views : 

The Mother and Child statue has a new home near the Meadow in an area which is currently private but will be opened to the public soon. There is a bench beside her for those who wish to commune with the statue that is now under a beautiful tree and open to the sky and the stars. The statue has been carefully placed to avoid traumatising anyone. For anyone who wishes to see the statue, please come to the office while we transition this space from a private to a public area and and we can take you there.

We are going to invite local sculptors to offer their designs for a replacement statue for the Sanctuary

We are going to create a second focal point and dedicated space in the Sanctuary for all people who do not have a voice

The Goddess sculpture has been returned to the garden