An author, historian and Salisbury Cathedral stalwart has had a unique sculpture unveiled in his honour at the city care home where he spent his final years.

Tim Hatton OBE was known for helping escort 100,000 Muslims during the 1947 partition of India, working in the colonial service in Malaysia and as a director of the Malaysian Special Branch between 1948 and 1966, and later becoming known to the people of Salisbury as a Cathedral guide after retiring in 1994. He also wrote a book on the history of the Cathedral, The Man Who Moved a Cathedral, and an autobiography, Tock Tock Birds, charting his military career including spells with the Indian Army and Gurkha Rifles.

After his death aged 94 on New Year’s Day 2020, the family of Tim Hatton OBE made a generous donation so that Colten Care’s Braemar Lodge could choose and commission a garden artwork for fellow residents to enjoy.

Members of the home’s gardening team knew that Tim was a recognised expert on the Cathedral and had spent nearly 20 years there as a volunteer guide.

Colten Care’s Head Gardener Charles Hubberstey discussed ideas for a suitable piece of art with Lesley King, Braemar Lodge Gardener.

Charles said: “Lesley and I considered various options carefully. We thought of something to do with Salisbury Cathedral and its world-famous spire. It’s well known that peregrine falcons have nested on the top of the spire in the past few years, so the idea of a falcon seemed right, especially for a sculpture that was to be sited outdoors and among nature.”

After some research and with the agreement of the home, Charles and Lesley commissioned Lymington-based metal artist Michael Turner to design and produce the work.

Michael is an internationally recognised sculptor who makes robust, handcrafted garden artwork inspired by nature using recycled materials.

The result of his commission from Braemar Lodge is a stainless-steel falcon, just over life size, mounted on a six-foot oak branch.

Charles unveiled the falcon to a gathering of residents in the lounge before setting it on a plinth in the garden. Its simple inscription reads: ‘Thank You Tim Hatton.’

Residents, many of whom fondly recall Tim, immediately voiced their approval of what is the first garden sculpture at the home.

Marigold Routh said: “It’s very beautiful, stunning. The way it is poised on the wood, you feel its eyes are focused on you. I love its curved talons. I knew Tim very well and used to see his wife Sarah who was assiduous in visiting him regularly. Tim loved anything to do with the Cathedral and I’m sure he would have loved this sculpture.”

Resident and bird lover Helen Scott, who has often helped to feed birds who come into the garden, said: “I think the sculpture is magnificent. It will go very well here as long as it doesn’t frighten away the other birds!”