PASW Regional Newsletter: Spring 2000
Art in The Travelling Landscape along the Tarka Trail - the Notional Cycle Network (3)
The National Cycle Network is a Millennium Commission project supported by £43.5 m of National Lottery Funds. This initiative is a partnership project involving over 400 local authorities as well as businesses, landowners, environmental bodies and others.
As part of the Cycle Network, Sustrans are working with Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service in North and West Devon on the integration of a series of artworks on the Tarka Trail between Okehampton and Barnstaple.
A group of three Devon based artists; Simon Heath, Lisa Scattergood, and Spencer Larcombe are working on a family of 12 waymarkers. Three bench commissions were awarded to Bideford based artist, John Butler, Paul Anderson who lives and works in Hartland and craftsmaker Ben May from Buckland Brewer. Barnstaple based, artist and sculptor, Geoff Stainthorp has been appointed to work on two estuary shelters.
Sustrans lead artist, Katy Hallett, has started working with schools in the Dolton, Merton and Peters Marland area on series of mosaic animal seats which reflect the clay work and the Tarka story.
The artists are at the initial stages of working up design ideas, confirming the sites for the work and consulting with members of the community. The proposed designs will be presented to the project Steering Committee and representatives from the local communities early in the New Year. The works will be installed on the Trail during late April/early May, with the official opening event taking place on May 23rd 2000.
The project's funding partners are the Torridge Leader project, Sustrans Millennium award, the Rural Development Agency, Torridge District Council, North Devon District Council, West Devon Borough Council, Barnstaple Regeneration Funding, Beaford Arts Centre, Devon Coast & Countryside Services, Sustrans and Watts Blake Bearne and Company PLC.
Sustrans are holding a major Millennium celebration on June 23rd and 24th - Ride the Net. For more information contact Sustrans on 0117 926 8893.
Lisa Harty, Project Co-ordinator