The Knife Angel

This 8 metre high sculpture is currently on display in Rochester Cathedral Gardens. It is made of 100,000 seized, surrendered and confiscated knives and were supplied by 43 UK police forces.

The sculpture took two years to make and was a collaboration between artist Alfie Bradley and the British Ironwork Centre. It is described as a national monument against violence and aggression, and it is hoped that this thought- provoking and moving work of art will raise awareness of the human cost of knife crime.

London has a very high crime rate with more than 90 violent killings so far this year. Most of these were stabbings. Sadiq Khan, London Mayor, refused to display The Knife Angel on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square.in spite of a petition signed by 35,000 , and support from the police.

Rochester, being 32 miles from London is the closest town to the capital that is displaying the Knife Angel. It leaves the cathedral on 29th September and continues its journey around the UK.

After spending time in the Cathedral walled garden we had lunch in our favourite Thai Restaurant. We followed this by visiting the gardens of Restoration House. They have recently completed a new area of garden in a renaissance Italian style. As I tire very quickly and had eaten too much at lunch, we spent sometime sitting and relaxing on one of the many benches.
The gardens are magnificent and an unusual find being in the centre of Rochester.

Another lovely day out before recommencing the hospital outpatient visits, with blood tests and nurse led checks tomorrow .