A new trail has been unveiled as a celebration of community, art, and local heritage in the Lincolnshire village.
The project has been devised to improve the links between the riverside, bridge, moorings, and the village centre. An unveiling event has been held where residents and visitors could see the series of carved features, proudly revealed by some of the community members involved in their creation.
Pedestrian improvements in Sutton Bridge have been funded by Lincolnshire County Council, to better link the village to surrounding areas. The ‘Perch Here’ trail has been delivered by the University of Lincoln’s ‘Transported’ programme using a Coastal Communities Fund grant also secured by the county council.
Councillor Tom Dyer, executive support councillor for economy, environment and planning welcomed everyone to the event on behalf of the county council.
He said, “This is a great new development for Sutton Bridge which is the gateway to Lincolnshire! There has been so much community involvement in the project and the installations already look at home here. It’s a real celebration of the area, its history and its future.
“The riverside trail is on the route of the new King Charles III England Coast Path, and we’re keen that local businesses use the opportunities that new visitors will bring.”
For the installations, a series of creative community workshops were held which led to the commissioning of Boston-born master craftsman and artist Peter Tree. Working alongside Peter were the Boston and South Holland Woodcarvers and volunteers and staff at Long Sutton Youth shed, with 260 participants from The Suttons villages sharing their ideas and enthusiasm during the process.
At the launch, a musical procession saw Peter’s whimsical and anecdotal designs for the trail features revealed to much delight.
Comments from the public included
- "The craft demonstrated is amazing, the King John trail, created by different woods, topped off with pyrography is exquisite. For work of this quality to be in the public realm, free, and available to everybody is really special."
- “I really like that you have been able to get the young people involved. It’s important they feel included, they are the future."
The trail is a testimony to how communities can be involved in the creation of unique arts experiences, from the consultation sessions on the village green, to the carving taster sessions at the Youth Shed, silk painting workshops with community groups and schools, working with the community carvers and the ‘treasures’ donated to create the treasure chest piece.
For more information about the trail visit: https://www.visitlincolnshire.com/things-to-do/perch-here-trail/