AN INSPIRATIONAL artwork has been unveiled at Holy Cross Hospital’s new education centre.

Thousands of pieces of hand cut glass were fused together at high temperatures to create the backlit panel depicting the centre’s namesake, St Hugh.

It also features a whooper swan that is known to have adopted him and Lincoln Cathedral, where he was bishop during the reign of King Henry II.

At the official unveiling, Chris Hinton, the former chief executive of the Haslemere hospital, explained it was the tradition at Holy Cross for buildings to be named after saints and that as St Hugh was a great educator and patron saint of sick people, it seemed appropriate to name the hospital’s new education centre after him.

Jan Simpson from Koru Arts in Mestead, in Hampshire, was commissioned to create the artwork and Alison Smith, in charge of the Koru Arts’ team, completed the final painted detail.

It took around four months to create and during that time, the glass spent a total of nine days being fired in the kiln.

•St Hugh's education centre seats 90 and can be divided into two smaller rooms. It is available for business hire.

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