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 said: “I was delighted to be invited by Northumberland County Council to visit the 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. This is an incredibly fun and creative project which means children and families can take ownership of their parks and public spaces, which really enhances the experience. It really is inspiring what has been created and this is certainly a day that will live long in the memory. There is no doubt for me that this is one of the nicest attractions in the town and I would encourage all Berwickers to come and see this great place for themselves.”