The Project
The Design Concept
The concept for the memorial seeks to reflect the local and international legacy of Sir Alexander Fleming’s groundbreaking discovery of the world’s first antibiotic – Penicillin
Local
The existing bronze bust of Fleming will be refurbished and mounted on a new stone pedestal, re-orientated to face north towards his home - Lochfield Farm.
The height of the bust will be set at Fleming’s actual height reflecting his humility as a common man, rather than an elevated individual.
The four stone seats are carved out of local whinstone...as was Fleming’s birthplace.
An outer ring of river washed pebbles will be from the Glen Water - where Fleming guddled for trout and played as a child.
Discovery
Central to the design is a stone representation of the Petri Dish containing Fleming’s discovery of Penicillium (which he later called Penicillin) and its attack on bacteria.
Everything radiates out from this source reflecting the international impact of his discovery.
International
The stone paving surrounding the central petri dish will be made of seven concentric rings.
Each ring represents one of the world’s seven Continents, all of which have been dramatically impacted by Penicillin saving millions of lives throughout the world.
Transformation
Whilst the central Petri Dish reflects the impact within Fleming’s laboratory, the overall memorial represents the Petri Dish at a global level.
In other words, the central Petri Dish becomes the antibiotic and the four whinstone seats represent the threat of bacteria of different types set within a global context.
The rogue bacterium (whinstone seat) positioned outwith the protective pebble ring reflects Fleming’s own prediction that not all bacteria can be contained through antibiotics. As such the overall memorial is transformational.
...Conclusion
This is not just a memorial
...but a piece of storytelling art, a sculpture which seeks to reflect the depth and vision of a local man with international status.
A Nobel prizewinner.
Explore The Memorial Timeline
1950's
The Original Memorial
A fading legacy
In the 1950s, a memorial garden was built to commemorate his legacy, but this is now in an extremely poor and dangerous condition.
Recognising that a more fitting memorial in his home town to celebrate the upcoming 100th anniversary, Darvel & District Community Council arranged a competition in late 2016 for Darvel residents to design a new, more suitable memorial.
2016
Local Competition
Winner: Alan Morton!
The winning memorial design by Alan Morton, featured a curved wall incorporating a series of panels narrating the life and achievements of Fleming and the discovery of penicillin.
Additionally, the existing petri dish would be transformed to display the iconic penicillin mould, symbolising Fleming’s enduring contribution to medical science.
This original design has been developed further by local architect, Colin Allan.
2017
Project Started
Who owns the land?
The project started in 2017 with attempts to find ownership of the site. Having been taken down a number of 'blind alleys', including contacting a relative of Loudoun Estates in Australia, we discovered that the land belonged to the estate of the Earl of Loudoun.
2025
Progress at last
Lawyers get things moving
Lawyers finally managed to purchase the land for us in December 2025.
DIG now owns the land.
May 2025
Architects Engaged
Planning Starts
Occam Architecture were commissioned to work alongside Darvel Improvement Group and East Ayrshire Council to deliver this ambitious project.
Late 2026
Fund Raising to be completed
Our target
Our fund rasising needs to be complete by late 2026 in order to complete this project.
End 2026
Appoint Contractors
Trusted Partners
When funding is complete, we'll be looking to appoint contractors to deliver the project.
Early 2027
Construction Begins
Work Can Finally Begin
This is when the project will really begin to take shape! Removing the old memorial, and establishing the new memorial in its place.
March 2027
Construction Complete 🤞
The Start Of The Future
With construction complete, Hastings Square will have a new lease of life.
28th September 2028
A Celebration of Discovery!
Honouring Sir Alexander Fleming
While 100 years have passed since the historic discovery of penicillin, Hastings Square in Darvel will have a fine legacy memorial to honour the discovery for gererations to come..