Go Wild in Thurnscoe!
Wild animals have gathered across Thurnscoe as part of Big Local Thurnscoe’s summer sculpture trail. A total of nine sculptures will be on view throughout August at locations including local shops and public spaces. Three large sculptures have been decorated by professional artist Fabric Lenny and will be permanently installed in Thurnscoe’s Flower Park, outside Thurnscoe Library and at Phoenix Park.
The smaller sculptures have been decorated by local school children at The Hill Primary Academy, Robert Ogden School, Gooseacre Primary Academy and Highgate Primary Academy as well as Station House Community Association and the Dearne Community Arts Group. These sculptures will be returned to the groups who decorated them after the trail in September.
Big Local Thurnscoe decided that the sculpture trail was preferred instead of the usual summer event because of the wider benefits it has for the community including engaging with local schools and encouraging families to get out and about in the summer holidays. With help from Barnsley Council’s Principal Town £5 million investment initiative, the public art project aims to bring vibrancy to Thurnscoe by improving public open spaces and creating a sense of place.
Cllr Tim Cheetham, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place (Regeneration and Culture), said:
The project is a prime example of Town Spirit and our commitment to work with communities to develop highstreets and local economies in the borough through partnership working. We couldn’t be more proud of the engagement we’ve seen from the community and we know how proud people are for their involvement in the design and decoration of the different animals.”
Big Local Thurnscoe Development Worker Alison Vint said:
We are thrilled to have brought the sculpture trail to Thurnscoe as we have managed to involve so many children and community groups in the project. The children have loved decorating the animals and done a fantastic job- we are sure that they will enjoy taking part in the trail with their families this summer and visiting some of the wonderful green spaces that we have.”
“Everyone completing the trail can return their leaflet to the library to be entered into a prize draw for days out at family attractions. We would like to thank Fabric Lenny for his work on the large sculptures, Twiggs for creating the plinths and installing the large animals and all of the local businesses that have agreed to take part.”
