Diamond River brings light to Ashburton

Published: 30 July 2025

The combination of cast and flat glass shimmers in a vibrant palette of blues and yellows. Fitted into rusted laser-cut steel, the play of light through the glass creates shifting patterns on the surrounding surfaces, offering moments of reflection, curiosity, and calm.

The name of the installation is ‘Diamond River’ and is inspired by the River Ashburn and how it flows from Dartmoor to the River Dart in Buckfastleigh, and the stained-glass windows of the Chapel of St Lawrence; it now adorns the entrance of Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Health and Wellbeing Centre.

Artist Amy Whittingham said: “My main goal was to create a welcoming entranceway by bringing some of the town and its history into this piece. I wanted to help make people feel connected to the place and the installation.

“I was commissioned by Helen Snell, who is the artist in residence for Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. She said she had an entranceway at Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Health and Wellbeing Centre and could I create something special.”

Each cast glass texture has an historical or local significance. Together these create a flowing pattern of colour and light, displaying a river of memory and place. Diamond River is a contemporary expression of Ashburton’s identity – its river, its buildings, its people. A quiet welcome. A flowing story in glass.

Amy added: “The area really was a blank space so I was able to focus on something unique. My key influence was the stained-glass windows of the Chapel of St Lawrence, the home of the Courts Leet and Portreeve, in particular the traditional quarry diamond panes; it also pays homage to the Dalle de Verre windows of Buckfast Abbey created by Father Charles Norris

“I took all these textures from around the town and back to my studio, made the moulds and then cast them into glass. I’m so proud to do this because it’s my first public permanent artwork so it is a huge moment for me.”

Tracey Cunningham Hospital Matron for Ashburton said: “We received funding in 2023 from NHS Charities Together to create an installation at Ashburton, and our artist in residence commissioned Amy Whittingham who specialises in cast glass artwork to create the piece.

“We are absolutely delighted with what Amy has created; it brightens the area and each time I get to see it, I notice something different.

“The arts are proven to boost emotional wellbeing which is why we are proud to work with Amy to create this wonderful piece for the Trust and our patients.”

Watch the interview with artist Amy Whittingham where she discusses the process behind creating Diamond River.