Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail

The Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail

The Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail leads from Brungerley Bridge (just outside Clitheroe on the B 6478 road to Waddington) through Brungerley Park to Crosshill Quarry along part of the Ribble Way. Cross Hill Quarry is a Local Nature Reserve and is managed by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. The sculpture trail was launched in 1993 and since its inception; 14 artists have produced their own artworks and have worked with local community groups to produce sculptures for the trail. To date each of the artists who have contributed to the Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail have brought their own styles and ways of working to the trail in response to the natural environment of the surrounding area.

Artists currently with work in the sculpture trail include:

Helen Calaghan, The Cooking Pot, 2000, Waddington Road entrance, Brungerley Park.

Kerry Morrison, Two Leaves, 1993/94, Grass area of top path, Brungerley Park.

Iain Cant, Beech Nuts, 2000, Tree between top and bottom path, Brungerley Park.

Tompson Dagnall, Bracket Fungus, 1993, Between top and bottom path, Brungerley Park.

Two face, 1993, Bottom path, Brungerley Park.

Mushrooms, 1993, Bottom path various places.

Footprints, 1993, quarry wall, Cross Hill Nature Reserve.

David Appleyard, Waymarkers (Ivy, butterflies and brook), 2007, Two on top path, one on bottom path near the brook, Brungerley Park. Clare Bigger, Sika Deer, 2007, top path, Cross Hill Nature Reserve.

Matthew Robey, Ribble King, 2007, Meadow area-bottom path, Cross Hill Nature Reserve.

Fiona Bowley, Otter, 2007, Ribble Way junction, bottom path, Cross Hill Nature Reserve.

Paul Smith, Four Wildlife Waymarkers, 2005, bottom path, Cross Hill Nature Reserve.

Louise Worrell, Wildlife Mosaic, 2000, bottom path, Cross Hill Nature Reserve.

David Halford, As The Crow Flies, 1993/94, bottom path near fishing platform, Brungerley Park.

Julie Ann Seaman, Fish Mobile, 2007 Swimming platform bottom path, Brungerley Park.

The sculptures can be incorporated in treasure hunts, nature walks and many other recreational activities.

The Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail is still a work in progress and will continue to be improved over the next twelve months.

By using the local heritage and landscape of Ribble Valley as inspiration we want to celebrate the people, character and positive identity of the area. To deliver this brief over the past three years, selected artists have created the new works by involving the community in their research and design processes.

Artists selected to produce recent pieces for the sculpture trail include

Fiona Bowley - Established stone carver

Clare Bigger - Established metal sculptor

Matthew Roby - Established Sculptor and illustrator

David Appleyard - Sculptor and Designer

Julie Anne Seaman - Sculptor and jewellery designer

Spring 2008 sees the exciting edition of six new sculptures by internationally renowned ceramic artist Halima Cassell. Cassell who is based in Blackburn has a distinctive style of work; she uses Islamic geometric patterns with bold African influences. Fusing her Asian background with her fascination for African pattern work and passion for architectural geometry, Halima's stunning sculptures are intense yet playful, structured yet creative, and compelling in their originality. Cassells new sculptures which will be sprouting up this spring, mark six major gateways into the Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail. These sculptures highlight the geometry of natural forms found throughout the park and nature reserve.

Brungerley Parks, Arty, Party Picnic With Drumming artist Kath Rimmer and Willow artist Alison Vaas

Saturday the 14th of June

Brungerley Park, Clitheroe 12pm-4pm

A Bowland Festival Event

Free

No need to book, just turn up

Head down to Brungerley Park and help us create a new semi permanent willow sculpture for the Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail. Have a go at a drumming workshop, meet some of the artists that have created work for the sculpture trail and enjoy your picnic with other families.

Willow artist Alison Vaas has experience of building large willow structures for community festivals and lantern processions. The process of lantern-making uses willow withies as a framework, covered with tissue paper soaked in glue. When dry, this forms a tight skin over the structure. Participants will make an individual piece or contribute to a larger structure that will be on semi permanent display at the sculpture trail.

Drumming Artist Kath Rimmer of Beatsnheat, leads local drumming group Slap Happy who perform at events across the area. At the arty party picnic she will be leading a drop in workshop in basic African drumming strokes with Djembe,Doun doun, Sangban and kenkeni drums. The activity is fun, loud and great for alleviating stress and tension.

No creative experience needed, just enthusiasm!

 Also between 12-1pm on the day is the official re-launch of the sculpture trail. It is your chance to have a look at the work that goes in behind the sculptures and meet local dignitaries and artists that have worked on the trail.

Information Regarding Wildlife in the Park

Brungerley Park and Cross Hill Nature Reserve together form an important area of woodland and meadow in which wildlife can thrive. The formal layout of the park becomes more natural as it approaches the boundary of the reserve. The formal section of the park has been planted out and includes some magnificent copper beech trees. It also gives impressive views across the Ribble Valley.

Cross Hill is the site of a former limestone quarry, but has not been worked for approximately 100 years. The original quarry basin with its inclined bedding planes is a dominant feature. The site has been colonised by grassland, woodland and scrub. The woodland is mainly ash and hawthorn. Ivy flourishes in the dense shady areas. The grassland is important for its wide range of flowers.

The River Ribble is an important boundary feature, which contributes significantly to the pleasure of walking through the area. The Ribble Way, a long distance footpath running from its source to the sea, passes through both the park and the reserve. The river also brings its own wildlife including kingfishers, sand martins, sandpipers etc. The woodland edge and river give excellent hunting grounds for bats. Tawny owls are also often heard calling at night.

This project is supported by Ribble Valley Borough Council, Land, Clitheroe the Future, Northwest Development Agency, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Lancashire County Council.

For more information on the trail please contact Zoë Fagg, Arts Development Officer, Ribble Valley Borough Council. Tel: 01200 443071 or email: platform.gallery@ribblevalley.gov.uk