Published Monday 7 September 2026 at 9:00
Residents are being invited to share their views on a proposed piece of new public artwork that could become a striking gateway feature on Darwen’s beloved moors.
Darwen-based sculptor Marjan Wouda has developed a proposal for the new sculpture, Curlew Calling, after successfully securing funding from Arts Council England.
Over the past year, Marjan has worked closely with partners to assess the proposal’s financial, technical and environmental feasibility.
With that work now complete, residents are being asked to have their say on whether the project should progress.
The sculpture would take the form of a four-metre-high Curlew, celebrating one of the most distinctive and increasingly threatened bird species on the moor.
The artwork would be located beside the popular walking route which runs up from the Sunnyhurst Pub to Darwen’s iconic Jubilee Tower, a path used regularly by residents and visitors.
A number of potential locations were explored during the development process and, following discussions with Natural England, this preferred site was identified as it’s on the very edge of the West Pennine Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Ground investigation works have also been carried out to confirm that the site is capable of supporting the proposed sculpture.
The artist has worked closely with local engineering and fabrication specialists, WEC Group to develop the design, and as with the Darwen Spitfire in the town centre, there’s plans for the sculpture to be fabricated by apprentices there – giving them valuable hands-on experience in delivering a significant public art project.
And locally based Premier Steel is also proud to be supporting the scheme.
If consultation feedback is positive, funding support has also been identified in principle from Destination Darwen, part of the Darwen Town Deal, and Darwen Town Council and the project will move forward to the formal permissions stage, including planning approval and other necessary consents.
Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Vice Chair of the Darwen Pride in Place Board, which oversees the Darwen Town Deal, said:
Marjan is already well known for her striking public artworks, including The Wader at Entwistle Reservoir, and, impressively, she has works on display right around the world.
Marjan has worked incredibly hard to develop this proposal for the town she has been proud to call home for more than 25 years.
Painstaking work has already been undertaken to assess everything from environmental considerations to the site’s suitability and the practical implications of installing and maintaining a sculpture in the proposed location.
However, the moors above Darwen are a very special landscape, valued by residents and visitors alike and before any decisions are made, we want to hear what people think about Marjan’s proposal and whether they feel it would be a positive addition to the area.
Please, if you live in the town, or visit the moors regularly, do have your say.
Marjan recently created ‘Dandy,’ a two-metre black dog sculpture in Clitheroe town centre inspired by the story of the Pendle Witches.
And another of her works, a 3.6-metre hare made from the same Corten steel proposed for Curlew Calling, is due to be installed in Rawtenstall Town Square this autumn.
Marjan said:
Having lived in Darwen for more than 25 years, I have come to love the moors deeply. It is a place where people can leave the built environment behind and experience something wild and expansive.
One bird, more than any other, embodies the spirit of Darwen Moor. The curlew’s haunting and unforgettable call is something many people will recognise, even if they have never actually seen the bird itself.
By placing this sculpture at the entrance to the moor, I hope to draw attention to the wider moorland ecology and encourage people to stop, look and appreciate the remarkable landscape on their doorstep.
At the same time, it would celebrate what makes Darwen special and provide visitors with another reason to spend time in our wonderful town, encouraging them to support our local businesses.
The consultation comes as progress continues across the wider Destination Darwen programme – part of the Darwen Town Deal – which aims to improve access to Darwen’s moors and the Jubilee Tower through upgraded routes and green spaces across the town, again helping to attract more visitors and support the local economy.
Key highway improvements have already been completed as part of the project, and preparations are well underway for the next phase of investment in local parks. These plans have been developed in collaboration with local Friends Groups, made up of hardworking community volunteers.
Residents are encouraged to take part in the consultation to have their say.
Feedback will help determine whether the project progresses to the formal permissions stage, which could ultimately see Darwen Moor become home to a new landmark celebrating one of its most iconic species.
To have your say, complete the short online survey here.
Or, paper copies will be available to complete at Darwen Library.
Marjan will also be hosting drop-in sessions where you can speak to her and find out more about the project. These will take place on:
- Darwen Library – Wednesday, September 23rd– 1pm to 3pm
- Darwen Market – Saturday, September 26th– 9:30am to 11:30am
The consultation will run for four weeks from Monday, September 7 to midnight on Monday, October 5.