Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP has officially launched a wooden sculpture trail featuring local wildlife in Berwick’s Coronation Park, with an additional sculpture in neighbouring Castle Vale Park.
The project has been developed by the Friends of Castle Parks, working in partnership with the Northumberland County Council and Berwick Town Council, and received a funding boost of £10,064 from SUEZ Communities Trust. The project has also benefited from a private donation.
Eight local first schools were involved in helping to produce designs, which were then carved out of a range of different types of wood by British contemporary sculptor David Gross. Each sculpture was fitted in place by the local army cadets.
The sculpture trail adds educational and imaginative play opportunities for children within the park, and features a robin atop a garden shovel, a mole digging its way out of the dirt, along with a sculpture of the iconic Berwick Bear, which is depicted on the town’s official crest, amongst many others. A pipistrelle bat sculpture has also been erected, dedicated to the late Emma Evans, former parks development officer at Northumberland County Council who sadly died in 2017.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP said: “I was delighted to be invited by Northumberland County Council to come along today to Berwick’s Coronation Park to unveil the Sculpture Trail for Berwick Parks. The sculptures are truly amazing and it is nice to see that the community has been fully involved particularly the schools, voluntary groups and supported by Berwick Town Council.
“A big thank you has to go to the sculptor David Gross and Kate Dixon, project development officer, the team from Northumberland County Council and all those that have contributed to another truly engaging project for Berwick. I hope all the residents and visitors to Berwick will take time to follow the trail and enjoy the sculptures and gardens.”
Cllr Glen Sanderson, cabinet member for environment and local services at Northumberland County Council, said: “We are delighted at how well this sculpture trail has turned out. It adds new interest and entertainment for residents and visitors and makes these great open spaces even better. These recreational spaces have had a renaissance in recent years, after a successful Heritage Lottery Funded improvement programme for Castle Vale and Coronation Parks.”
Brian Parkin, Berwick Town Councillor for the Castle Ward said: “I am very glad that these parks have been turned around in recent years and are such an attractive feature for the town. The sculpture trail has added further interest for visitors and residents to enjoy when they visit the parks. It was great to see so many children at the launch today, and also that young people designed the sculptures and therefore have some ownership of the trail. I would like to add my congratulations to the sculptor for some great pieces of work.”
County Councillor for Berwick North, Catherine Seymour, said: “The official opening of the Sculpture Trail in our Berwick Parks was a pleasure to attend. Congratulations to all those involved in participating to forward this project that included grant funding. Especially to the sculptor David Gross and Kate Dixon, who in good community spirit involved members of the public, school children and cadets, along with many volunteers to keep these parks looking their best for everyone to appreciate.”
Cllr Gregah Roughead, Mayor of Berwick added: “I would like to add my thanks to every volunteer who has helped to make this sculpture trail a reality. It will help to generate pride in our community and has added a real asset for the town. It is also in a great location, so close to the station, which I hope will help to promote it to residents and visitors alike.”
The Berwick sculpture trail is a permanent installation open to the public seven days a week.