A newly unveiled public sculpture which cost £40,000 has attracted criticism over the way one of the characters is depicted.
The artwork, called The Meeting Point, was installed in the Penenden Heath History Garden and shows three figures – a Royalist Cavalier, a Victorian cricketer and a female healer.
£40k The Meeting Point statue in Penenden Heath, Maidstone, faces criticism from healing community
The council says the sculpture celebrates community, shared space and local heritage.
It cost about £40,000 to commission and install.
The healer figure is intended to acknowledge women who were persecuted under witchcraft laws in the 16th century and earlier this year, councillors wrote to the government asking for a general pardon for those executed.
However, the statue shows a woman wearing a pointed hat with a cat at her feet and some have raised concerns about the way the healer is represented.
Cllr Claudine Russell has criticised the new sculpture
Cllr Claudine Russell (Con) said: “I thought that the administration’s point was that these ladies weren’t witches, and that the request for pardoning them translates to modern-day issues.
“My group are therefore confused as to why the statue depicts two men and one woman, and the woman is crafted wearing a pointy hat with a cat.
“That’s quite apart from how much this statue cost.
“Is this really the most important infrastructure that our residents want to be delivered for them? My group doesn’t think so.”
Members of the Coven of the Sacred Oak, a group which studies historical herbalism and folk practice, also voiced concerns.
Healers of the Coven of the Sacred Oak, who have raised concerns about the sculpture’s design
They said: “We would have liked to see the names of the people who were wrongly accused placed alongside the sculpture.
“It would have been better to show several men and women in ordinary clothing to reflect who they really were.
“These people were herbalists, midwives and healers.
“They understood plants and the natural world. Knowledge was feared, and that fear led to persecution.
“They need to be remembered for the crimes they did not commit.
“The pointed hat is not historically accurate. Wise men and women wore wide-brimmed hats to keep herbs dry when selling remedies.
“They were human, not fictional characters.”
The council says the sculpture is part of a community project shaped by workshops held earlier in the year.
It said the figures stand on a Civil War drum with historic dates linked to the heath inscribed on the base.
It is made from mild steel and galvanised to guard against weathering.
Artists Thomas and Gary Thrussell created the piece. Their work also includes the Iguanodon sculpture at Maidstone East railway station and installations on the Magical Beasts trail.
Cllr Stephen Thompson (Green), cabinet member for healthier, stronger communities, said the work represents unity, reflection and collaboration over time.
A spokesperson for Maidstone council said: “The Meeting Point sculpture was commissioned as part of a wider cultural initiative to enhance public spaces and celebrate themes of connection, care, and community wellbeing.
“The healer figure was created to symbolise compassion and support, with elements such as the cat representing comfort and companionship. It was never intended to promote stereotypes or cause offence.
“Art is subjective, and we recognise that people will have different views.
“However, the overall response has been very positive, with many supportive comments and over 400 likes on social media.
“We believe that investment in art and culture plays an important role in creating vibrant, welcoming environments for everyone.
“This project was funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy, contributions from local developers to support community projects, not through council tax.
“Before the work was commissioned, a public consultation was held, and the concept received an overwhelmingly positive response.
“We value all feedback and will ensure these views are considered in future projects.
“Our goal remains to deliver inclusive and meaningful works that reflect the diversity and spirit of Maidstone.”