PASW Regional Newsletter: Spring 2002
Regional Projects - Art & The Travelling Landscape
Sustrans - Bath-Radstock-Frome Cyclepath
Twenty nine miles of wonderful cycling country, from Georgian Bath along the Avon-Kennet canal and then through rolling Somerset countryside along disused railway lines across spectacular viaducts, is the latest Sustrans Cycle Route to be created.
Currently I am making an assessment of the potential for artists as the newly appointed Arts Coordinator for this route. Many parts of the route are still being negotiated, and much of the route is still completely impassable or inaccessible. Commissions will focus on the route beyond Dundas. The two key market town centres of Radstock and Frome will provide opportunities for artworks, and both communities have been responsive and continue to be supportive of Sustrans' plans.
Linking the whole route - which goes through varied parts of Somerset - is a challenge which we will address through commissioning a linear 'community' orchard, featuring indigenous species of fruit. Work with local schools led by artists will hopefully develop planting schemes, unearth old recipes and customs, and perhaps create connections between older members of the community and young people. This project will also link with Somerset's scheme to plant new orchards, and the National "Five Fruit a Day" scheme to address poor nutritional standards amongst many young people.
Artists will be drawn from Sustrans' shortlist of 40 artists chosen from 500 artists who responded to the nationally advertised call last autumn.
Regular bulletins will be posted in this newsletter!
Lesley Greene
Arts Co-ordinator