Critics attack £380,000 plan to create sculpture trail on Wolds

A £380,000 project to create a sculpture trail along the Wolds Way has sparked fears that it could damage the area's natural landscape.

Regional tourist board Visit Hull and East Yorkshire plans to install 10 sculptures along the 79-mile route in a bid to attract more people to the most under-walked national trail in England.

Starting on the bank of the River Humber, the sculptures will appear at locations including North Newbald, Fridaythorpe and Flixton Wold, with the final artwork on dramatic Filey Brigg.

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There will also be up to six benches, collaborations between artists and poets, from which to contemplate the landscape.

However the cost – some 380,000, excluding project management costs – has angered some locals, who also think they will spoil the Wolds' natural beauty.

Bill Birrell, from Fridaythorpe, said: "I am far from alone in

questioning what added value will result from superimposing 10

sculptures or "artworks" on our beautiful Yorkshire Wolds.

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"Most of the local people share my belief that walkers and users of the Wolds Way are attracted there by the beauty and tranquillity of the area – they cannot imagine that any significant number will be encouraged to leave the haven of their homes to view these works.

"Above all, the projected cost is monstrous in this financial climate – no jobs, improvements or education will result."

The parish council in Fridaythorpe has asked for a shelter rather than an artwork. Parish council chairman Richard Pinder said in his opinion he couldn't see the point of spoiling a big, wide open space. He said: "We asked for some kind of shelter on the green because a sculpture isn't of any use quite frankly."

However chairman of the steering group in Thixendale Keith Bristow defended the project saying: "There's some opposition and it's been quite vocal but it is not the majority, maybe 25 against, 75 for."

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They are looking to have a sculptures around a mile south of the village at the convergence of three dales and will be meeting five artists to discuss their ideas next month.

He said: "It's a phenomenal site – in fact it is so good it's attracting artists who wouldn't normally bid for this kind of project.

"It has to be natural materials in sympathy with the surroundings. It has to enhance the landscape and we want it to be educational and informative.

"Young people are going to help design it and hopefully there will be workshops involving them.

"Nobody at this stage has any idea what it will be like."

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Consultant Andrew Knight said the last thing they wanted to do was "superimpose" anything.

"These budgets don't pay crudely speaking for bricks and mortar. There's lots of work in terms of engaging communities and outreach work. It will also contribute towards their continuing maintenance.

"The communities within each of the site and the landowners are critical to agreeing the brief and selecting and interviewing the artists.

"From experience you can't satisfy all the people all the time. If the process has been good more people become very affectionate...and come to treasure the art."

VHEY's chief executive Janet Reuben said she hoped to "wow" visitors and "encourage even more visitors to explore the Wolds – one of the region's greatest assets."