New Heritage Feature for Atherstone

[Admin]

A design brief has now been drawn up and sent out for the new heritage feature for Atherstone which is being commissioned by the North Arden Heritage Trail.
The design brief for a tree of life has been sent out to artists during January. Themes will include Hatting, canals and the ball game amongst others. The ability to add more in the future will be included if possible, meaning that the tree could grow as the town develops.

The preferred site is Atherstone Market Square, but may be located at the Canalside just off Coleshill Road Bridge.


Artists brief follows:

Celebrating North Warwickshire's fascinating local history and distinctive landscape

North Arden Heritage Trail - Parish of Atherstone. North Warwickshire Oudoor Heritage Feature Brief

[/b]
[li]North Warwickshire Borough Council manages the North Arden Heritage Trail. This is a three-year project that aims to improve footpaths in 12 rural parishes in North Warwickshire. The project also encompasses the development of a local heritage feature within each of the 12 parishes part of which is to incorporate an accompanying sound box to act as an oral history record.

[/li][li]Aims: To involve the community in the the development of a local heritage feature which will be a durable and inspiring. To have this feature installed on or near the North Arden Heritage Trail paths so that they are an attractive part of the walkers experience. To incorporate a soundbox within the feature design or if not near by, so that it links in with the oral history aspect of the project.

[/li][li]Funding: Heritage Lottery Fund

[/li][li]Partners: North Warwickshire Borough Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, Atherstone Community Committee.

2. Context:
[/li][li] The people of Atherstone have been consulted about their ideas of both personal and neighbourhood ideas of heritage
They have created this brief with the results of these consultations and wish to have this as the main point of reference for the creation of their heritage feature. Attached are some sketches that are to be used as a conceptual starting point for designing the feature along with the themes outlined by the community:
The piece should be a talking point, it should be something to lift the spirits of all who come to view it. It should warmly convey Atherstone's varied and diverse heritage for the community to be proud of.

3. The Commission and expected outputs:
[/li][li] Originality and Integrity
The feature must be completely original and unique to the project. The material used must be of appropriate quality to be lasting, durable, and requiring little maintenance as possible.

[/li][li] Proposed sites:
1. Atherstone Canal side Civic Society garden area.
2. Atherstone Market Square.

[/li][li] Content:Themes - hatting, canals, Dickens Evening, The Ball Game(shrove , Atherstone the Market Town and Coching Town, Adders

[/li][li] Design: A Tree of life

[/li][li] Seating. To incorporate a sitting area. Also, to be accessible to sensory impaired members of the community, e.g. featuring a tactile element, for the visually impaired.

4. Technical and Physical considerations:
[/li][li] Materials: Stone and living material, metal

[/li][li] Dimensions: As appropriate to the design and the location

[/li][li] Installation: Artist to arrange

[/li][li] Vandalism: The feature must include anti-vandal protection wherever possible.

5. Timescales: To be created within 4 months from final design selection.
To be created by the end of August 08 and installed by the end of October 2008.

6. Application Process and Relevant experience:
[/li][li]A proposal showing 1-2 rough sketches or written ideas as to how you would work the above information.
[/li][li] Your CV
[/li][li] A copy of a recent CRB check
[/li][li] A Portfolio or examples of similar work
[/li][li] 2 references
[/li][li]Public liabilty insurance
[/li][li]Public indemnity insurance

7. Fees and Budget: £10,000 to include all costs from any further community consultation through to creation and installation of the feature, site visits, delivery, installation, planning permission etc.

8. Deadline for Applications: Friday 8th February of 2008

9. Only applicants who are short listed will be contacted, interviews will take place on Monday 18th February 7-9 pm where you will be asked to represent your ideas and portfolio.

10. Send Applications to: jo Gordon
Email :[e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Adress: North Arden Heritage Trail, Thr Council House, South Street, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 1BD

11. Please see the following for further information:
[/li][li] For North Arden Heritage Trail Newsletter, Brochure and information visit Web: www.northwarks.gov.uk/ardentrail
[/li][li] Photographs of the route and locations of proposed art pieces

[img src="i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/Madhatter1uk/Forum/Navbits/magnify-clip.png" width=500 height=460 src="http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/Madhatter1uk/Forum/Images/Atherstone/Proposedlocation1Atherstone.jpg"]

[img src="i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/Madhatter1uk/Forum/Navbits/magnify-clip.png" width=512 height=440 src="http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/Madhatter1uk/Forum/Images/Atherstone/proposedlocation2atherstone.jpg"]

[/li][li] Sketch from the community, this is meant as a conceptual guide only. This as a starting point for a design, we are not requesting a literal interpretation of the sketch in your design.
[img src="i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/Madhatter1uk/Forum/Navbits/magnify-clip.png" width=440 height=512 src="http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/Madhatter1uk/Forum/Images/Atherstone/scetchfromcommunityatherstone.jpg"]
[/li][/ul]

[Madhatter]

Artists have now been confirmed for the three areas o f Baddesley, Mancetter and Atherstone.
Three entries were short listed as being within the design brief and gave a presentation which involved showing past work and design ideas for for the proposed pieces, and a questions and answers session.

Atherstone chose the Walsall based artists Julie Edwards and Ron Thompson to bring their piece to life.

They've recently created the Bloxwich column and three information boards for the area, press release at bottom,

A £30,000 sculpture entitled Cycle of Life to mark the end of a 2 million pounds revamp of a canal network. The work is sited at Catshill Junction, in Brownhills, where the Daw End and the Wyrley and Essington canals meet. British Waterways commissioned the sculpture and nearby residents were heavily involved in its design.

An art project to design a new gateway, railings, and a garden around the cairn, which is situated on one of the highest points in Walsall on the route of the Monarch’s Way long distance footpath.

In choosing the artist I personally gave consideration to the following:-
Durability, contrast to materials already used on the trail which up till now have mostly been stone
Design and the potential to add some great detail in different colours with out compromising durability
Ease of maintenance and long life
A proven track rack record that the artists can produce pieces similar to what we are looking for and that they're liked by the public.
Also the artist is keen on working with local schools. This is important as it introduces local history in an interesting way and involves them in a local project thus creating a sense of pride in the piece and life lasting memories. It is a proven fact that children involved in these projects are less likely to vandalise the piece.
Finally the couple seemed friendly, approachable and willing to work with the whole community to get ideas for the vital inlay scenes.

Atherstone is small market town a hatting town and a book town, Atherstone Baddesley and Mancetter are rural 'villages' all steeped in history. The two artists chosen for the three projects, baddesley and Mancetter are sharing the same artist, proposed designs that reflect the local this. We were shown some designs by a third entrant, an architect group. While the designs were good, the Atherstone proposal certainly reflected the artist brief well, they were generally felt to be to modern.

I hope that all of our choices will create pieces that the people of Atherstone, Baddesley and Mancetter will be proud of.

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On Friday 27th July at 2.00pm, the culmination of a year's work with local groups and children will be officially unveiled by three Bloxwich Carnival Queens at Elmore Green, Elmore Row, Bloxwich.

Walsall Council and Walsall’s New Deal have worked with artists Ron Thompson and Julie Edwards and the people of Bloxwich to create a stunning column that represents the town and its history.

The column standing 3.5 metres tall is constructed from cast iron and mild steel, the project also incorporates information boards about the history of Bloxwich.

The artwork features 16 panels that illustrate the things which local people felt best represented Bloxwich and includes, Pat Collins, Bloxwich and its Saxon origins, awl blade making and the Old Hall Company to name a few.

The sculpture has been cast locally, in Willenhall by the Purbright Foundry, many of whose workers come from the Bloxwich area.

In addition to the column, there are three attractive information boards located in Bloxwich Park, the Market and Elmore Green. These boards will have information on the history of the town.

Julie and Ron have been working with Walsall's New Deal, the Friends of Bloxwich Park, Walsall's Local History Centre, Nigel Wiggin and a number of community groups and schools to develop ideas for the artwork, which is 'illustrated' in the cast iron column, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Bloxwich area.

Mayor of Walsall and local councillor Melvin Pitt said; "This is an exciting time for Bloxwich. It's great to see local people's ideas and inspirations take shape to help renovate this area and provide a spectacular talking point."

Alan Venables, Chair of New Deal’s Environment Theme Group said;
"Both the sculpture and information boards are special to Bloxwich and it's great that local people will now be able to see the result of their hard work."

Chair of the Friends of Bloxwich Parks Ken Worley said;
"This sculpture is a fantastic bonus to the area, and with the information boards will considerably enhance the Elmore Green area".

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www.thebloxidgetallygraph.com/thebloxwichcolumn.htm
www.lhi.org.uk/projects_directory/projects_by_region/west_midlands/walsall/bentley_hall_cairn/index.html

[Madhatter]

Rough designs have now been drawn up by Walsall based artists Julie Edwards and Ron Thompson.

The proposed location is the east corner of the Market Square nearest to the Swan Archway.

Four sets of designs have been sketched out as follows..
















Which do you like the best, out of the four?

The photo has 12 panels on an octagonal tower to mirror the church.

first design sketch (1) is a square tower with 16 disc pictures with carvings on but no bench.

Second design sketch is a round design, with 3D sculptures at the top and designs randomly placed, with or without a bench.

Third design is a square tower with 3D castings to create an open picture effect. but with no bench.