Sculpture trail shows town is cut out to attract visitors

THE latest attempt to boost tourism in Beverley will be officially unveiled on Sunday with the opening of a new town trail.

The Beverley Medieval Guilds and Crafts Trail will lead visitors from North Bar Within to Beckside with 39 permanent art works – a combination of sculptures and street art – telling the story of the town's medieval guilds and trades in the 13th century.

The trail will be unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding, Susan Cunliffe-Lister, with the ceremony being followed by an afternoon of period entertainment.

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Team Falchion will perform medieval re-enactments on the Cloisters Lawn, and a stage in Wednesday Market will host innovative performances of Mystery Plays and baroque music.

Arbeau Medieval Dancers will invite members of the audience to learn their steps in Wednesday Market after their performances.

There will also be a display of medieval crafts, a treasure trail for children and guided walks.

The festivities will begin with a series of performances by schoolchildren at 11am.

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Janet Reuben, chief executive of regional tourism group Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY), said: "The Beverley Town Trail is a fabulous attraction for the town that will entertain and fascinate visitors for years to come.

"This launch event is the perfect way to introduce the trail, capturing the history and spirit of what it offers."

The sculptures include "Spinners", a three-metre high display of intertwining stainless steel spirals by artist Chris Wormald, designed to represent the spinning trade.

That was unveiled last week in Swaby's Yard, which is near Dyer Lane where cloth was taken to be dyed.

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Other artworks include a sculpture in a floral garden plot to the north of the Minster, representing the masonry industry, and an engraving of a stretched hide – part of the tanning process of tanning – in Flemingate.

According to VHEY, tourism is worth 615m to Hull and East Yorkshire's economy each year and supports more than 15,000 full-time, seasonal and part-time jobs.

The trail has been paid for by Heritage Lottery Fund, East Riding Council, VHEY, Beverley Town Council and private and business sponsors.

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