City Council work to improve nature reserves

(Date of issue: Monday, 17 November 2008)

A new woodland sculpture by local artist Alistair Neville is now on show in Rickerby Park.

Commissioned by Carlisle City Council as part of an improvement scheme, the six metre high piece of artwork has been chain-sawed into a Horsechesnut tree. The totem pole style artwork is themed on the nearby River Eden and includes a kingfisher, an otter, fish, frogs and other locally found wildlife and plant life.

Alistair started on the work in late October and has spent several weeks perfecting the sculpture.

The sculpture, along with three new ornate iron Kissing Gates installed at the entrances to the park, are part of an overall £40,000 project that will soon include other improvement and access schemes within Kingmoor Nature Reserves and the Kingstown Wildlife Pond. The money was given to the City Council from Barratt Homes following a land sale (to allow one of the developments to be completed).

The Kissing Gates were produced, on behalf of the City Council, by Brunstock Engineering and are also themed around the flow of the River Eden and activities within the park.

Cllr Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

"The project aims to update the nature reserves to allow Carlisle residents, school groups and visitors of all abilities the opportunity to get out and explore their local greenspace in a safe, informative and visually stimulating manner.

"The funding will cover new footpaths, a car park and entrance feature, new boardwalks and pond dipping platform and onsite interpretation. Work is ongoing and should be completed within the few months."