Cardiff Harbour Authority with
Arts & Business Cymru.
The Story Stone, a celebration of the first 25 years of the Cardiff Harbour Authority
THE STORY STONE
Cardiff Harbour, on the barrage
A & B CultureStep community arts linked project see below.
A Celebration of the Harbour Authority's first 25 years.
This project brings together the ancient world of standing stones with a modern twist. Within this huge piece of Welsh slate we have some of the stories of this wonderful regeneration of Cardiff Bay.
This commission was designed in a collaboration with the team at the Cardiff Harbour Authority as a way to capture some of the elements which are celebrated here on a daily basis. The huge freshwater lake where sailing in safety is a big asset for the sailing school. The walkway for families, cyclists and joggers alike provides one of the most scenic routes in the city, all in the safe environment of the harbour. The wetlands pontoon and reed-beds provide a close up connection with wildlife and each of these aspects are detailed within the stained glass windows of the sculpted standing stone.
The 3 stained glass windows each have a different part of the 25th anniversary sculpture story to tell. From the lowest panel where we can see the harbour as it used to be when the tide was out. With the second highest tidal range in the world at around 13.6 meters, back then, ships were often grounded in the shallows until the tide lifted them afloat to continue on into the harbour. Then we see the Barrage with the islands of Flat Holm and Steep Holm on the horizon. This panel marks the beginnings of the changes we see today with the following images telling of the 'Clean up Boat' and the constant works that go on behind the scenes to help keep the giant freshwater lake clean. And then, the leaping Salmon which has made its return to these waters. For the rest of the stories you will have to visit the Barrage to fully appreciate all the wonderful recreational developments in this amazing part of the great Welsh coastline.
The images above and below show something of the process of design and creating this large piece which stands 2.4m tall and gives a space to stand and explore all the small details within the glass-works. More information coming soon.
The Cardiff Harbour Authority Arts & Business Cymru
CULTURESTEP
The next part of this creative journey.
Arts & Business Cymru, CultureStep, going the extra mile.
Business and arts have received an investment from A&B Cymru's CultureStep to strengthen and develop their creative partnership.
With the help of Arts & Business Cymru's CultureStep program, and in collaboration with The Cardiff Harbour Authority we have completed an exciting community based Arts program which was run during the summer of 2026. Ben ran workshops with selected local primary schools and Care homes, adding a special Arts day for the Flat Holm open day.
This public arts project supported by Art's & Business Cymru CultureStep was a great success with over 150 folks taking part from the ages of 3 to 90!. The Flat Holm appreciation open day attracting families and young professionals who engaged with the project in a most dynamic way. The art created was all linked to the main feature 'Story Stone' which has 3 stained glass windows depicting the many different activities which have been made possible by the works done in this area. The surrounding harbour and the flora and fauna of mainland Cardiff and Flat Holm.
During these art sessions, everyone partaking created their own 'mini masterpiece' with a stained glass-like panel, based on Cardiff Harbour and what it means to them. These were collated into a large montage which was on display during each of the workshops in celebration of the first 25 years of the Harbour Authorities amazing contribution to the regeneration of this part of the City.
Ben says: "My aim here is to provide a fun and dynamic experience for all taking part. To inspire a wide range of different age groups from the very young to those who will have memories of life here long before the Barrage existed. We will together, create a wonderful array of vibrant artworks which will themselves each tell a little part of Cardiff's ever evolving story".
Below images are from some of these CultureStep workshops where we worked with different aspects of the Cardiff Harbour community. My thanks to all those who took part and who helped to make this project possible.
