"Why can't we delight in these wonderfully crafted flights of fantasy: maybe a better thread title would have been 'EDFSS to miss out on it's inspired creation'"

1. The EFDSS are not making a judgement on the beauty or the validity of Henry Dagg's work.

2. The commission (and the grant) was for a piece for the garden; Mr Dagg's piece evolved in a direction that he decided was unsuitable for an outdoor space.

3. The artist said that the nature of the piece would require round-the-clock security, something that was never part of the original contract and, indeed, would be beyond EFDSS's means to provide within the designated space.

4. The piece requires someone on hand to operate it for visitors. Again, this was not part of the original brief, nor was it provided for within the funding.

These are the reasons why EFDSS is, unfortunately, unable to accept the piece. This is not to say it's not an interesting and beautiful thing, but unfortunately it is not the piece that the Society commissioned, nor is it what the funders agreed to pay for. Hopefully it will find a good home soon.