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Imaginative
and engaging - sculpture trail carves path around Catherington
Trail is
part of the Horndean Green Trail and Heritage Network
East Hampshire District Council has helped fund a wonderful
‘Sculpture Trail’ walk through the Catherington Lith Local Nature Reserve,
complete with imaginative tree sculptures, information boards and a variety
of infrastructure improvements.
Through our wide-reaching Grow Up! programme we
have allocated £35,000 from the Rural Grant scheme, enabling Horndean
Parish Council to deliver this phase of the Horndean Green Trail and
Heritage Network Project.
The money has paid for four spectacular tree
sculptures carved by renowned Farnham artist Michael Jones.
The money has also helped with improvements to the
footpaths and enabled the installation of interpretation boards that inform
walkers about the history and wildlife of The Lith. Additional
infrastructure improvements and wildlife-friendly installations, such as
owl boxes and insect hotels, have also been provided as part of the
project. Much of this infrastructure work has been carried out with the help
of local resident volunteer groups.
On top of this, EHDC secured a £20,000 grant from
Hampshire County Council to fund a programme of public engagement looking
into walking and cycling in the area.
The recently-held community consultations will
examine the barriers and opportunities to healthy and sustainable travel
and how it can be more accessible. An interactive online map showing local
routes, stories and heritage features will be created.
Cllr Robert Mocatta, Portfolio Holder for
Regeneration and Prosperity, said: “The new sculptures are absolutely
fantastic and are a perfect complement to the network of footpaths and
walkways that the nature reserve in Catherington Lith already enjoys.
“This project is all about getting people outside,
out of their cars, and enjoying the countryside. Walking and cycling is a
great way to keep fit and get around - it’s better for you and it’s better
for the environment.
“But it’s easy to say that - if there’s no
infrastructure in place then people can’t do it. That’s why we have helped
to fund this fantastic green trail and that’s why we will engage with local
people to find out what would encourage them to travel more actively.”
Cllr Andrew Redding, Chairman of Horndean Parish
Council, said: “The Sculpture Trail is a superb start for the Horndean
Green Trail & Heritage Network Project, which will be a wonderful and
enduring environmental legacy that current and future residents of Horndean
can be proud of.”
Photo captions
Top photo: L-R Cllr Andy Redding, Chairman of Horndean Parish Council, Cllr
Graham Hill, Chairman of EHDC, Damian Hinds MP, and (seated) sculptor
Michael Jones
Bottom photo: At the launch of the Catherington Lith Sculpture Trail
Download photos
This
project is funded by
the UK Government through the UKSPF
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £2.6 billion
of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride
in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities
and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
Find
out more on GOV.UK
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