Novel thinking provides top name choice for giant crane
A 40m crane in a prominent place in Bath has a new name after public vote.
The crane, which overlooks the RUH, is being used to build the new Dyson Cancer Centre. Patients, staff and the local community all put forward suggestions for its name.
“You really can’t miss the crane at the front of the RUH!” said Libby Walters, finance director of the Dyson Centre. “It has become a bit of a landmark already.”
“It will be with us for a while, so we asked people to help find a suitable name. We had an amazing response with so many patients, staff and members of the public suggesting creative, amusing and imaginative names – thank you to everyone who got involved.
“It was very tough but in the end we narrowed it down to three suggestions, and asked our community to make the final decision by voting for their preferred name.”
The winning suggestion came from Nicola Cretney from Frome who thought of an ingenious literary name, perfect for the crane’s life in Bath.
“When I saw the RUH was asking for names, ‘Crane Austen’ popped into my head without me giving it any real thought,” said Nicola. “I love Jane Austen novels, I know she has a strong connection with Bath and I liked the play on words!”
Crane Austen is already hard at work supporting the building phase of the new cancer centre at the RUH.
Nicola said: “With so many people affected by cancer, the Dyson Cancer Centre feels like a reassuring development for local people.
“Being able to receive treatment in a modern, purpose designed building, as well as the practical and emotional support that is so important to patients and families when faced with a cancer diagnosis, will hopefully be of huge value to those of us who access services there.”
Since breaking ground in July 2021 the builder, Kier, has completed the frame of the three-storey building with first floor slabs already being laid.
Scheduled to open for patients in autumn 2023, the Dyson Cancer Centre will include oncology, chemotherapy, radiology and research services, a 22-bed inpatient ward and a specially designed Macmillan Wellbeing Hub.
Progress can be followed at the website: