A striking new memorial has been unveiled in the orchard at Glastonbury Abbey, honouring the life and legacy of Robert Richards and his wife Ann-Marie Buckley.

Richards, best known as the former commercial director of Glastonbury Festival and a trustee of the abbey from 2013 to 2022, was a driving force behind some of the town's most ambitious projects — including chairing the Glastonbury Town Deal Board, which helped secure millions in regeneration funding. After his death in 2022, his wife Ann-Marie threw herself into creating a lasting tribute to the place he loved most.

That tribute — a honeycomb-inspired sculpture created by award-winning artist Wolfgang Buttress — now stands in the abbey's orchard, where visitors are encouraged to sit, reflect, and connect.

Ann-Marie, who sadly died before seeing the project completed, worked closely with Buttress to shape the vision. She was drawn to his earlier work BEAM, an installation at the 2019 Glastonbury Festival that highlighted the plight of honeybees — a cause close to Robert's heart.

"Robert and Ann-Marie were both extraordinary and special people," said Buttress. "I loved the time that we spent together and feel honoured to have been asked to create this memorial for both of them. I hope that this sculpture is a fitting testament to their love of nature, culture and for each other. I also hope that visitors to the Abbey enjoy spending time in the memorial and make positive connections with the history, architecture and landscape of this amazing site."

Made from Corten steel and sheltering a hardwood bench, the structure references both Robert's passion for beekeeping and the couple's shared commitment to community, nature and cultural life.

Janet Bell MBE, director of Glastonbury Abbey, said the team was proud to host the tribute: "Ann-Marie really wanted to create a beautiful sculpture at the abbey, not only as a lasting memorial to Robert, but also to bring people here, to a place he loved so much and to which he dedicated so much time and thought. We feel very honoured to host this wonderful, sensitive piece by Wolfgang and so pleased that we were able to accommodate Ann-Marie's wishes."

The sculpture was funded by donations from family, friends and colleagues, and is now open for all visitors to enjoy — as a space for conversation, contemplation, and care.