New Safari trail in Oswestry starts to take shape
Plans for a new and extraordinary safari trail for Oswestry are now taking shape, thanks to the ideas and imagination of head of Shropshire Council, Mr. Keith Barrow.The Oswestry trail project whose aim is to help increase footfall and enhance the visitor experience in the town, has been made possible thanks to the generous supply and loan of handmade metal animal sculptures from the British Ironworks Centre (BIC) in Oswestry. The local firm has offered to supply and help install around 35 iconic and bespoke pieces which will form the new and exciting trail for the town.Local Councilor for Oswestry, Vince Hunt who is leading the project, met up with Clive and Tracy Knowles, proprietors of BIC in Aston Oswestry on 11 February, 2013 to view some of the enigmatic animals some of which reach as high as nearly 20ft.The British Ironwork Centre (BIC) in Oswestry who have sourced and lovingly collected the animal statues, from all over the globe, had been asked to provide the Council with a proposal to install a selection of the animals in and around Oswestry as a way of ‘giving something back to the town’, no funding or financial support is or has been given to BIC, its purely local business supporting and helping enhance the town.
Following approval by the Oswestry Joint Economic Board, and talks with local artists, shop owners and retailers, plans and assessments are now being developed to position the charismatic animals/statues around the town. There will be approximately 20 small portable sculptures suitable for indoor locations, and shop fronts, and between 10 to 15 larger pieces to be located in key locations around the town.BIC have been asked to refresh and to rotate many exhibits, routinely each year or as required, to keep the Oswestry Trail fresh and dramatic.
Over the next few months the animals will be located in Oswestry at selected areas that provide the highest visible impact to those arriving by road and cycle users from the A5 and then to draw them through town to the centre and to areas that are not immediately apparent to visitors, thereby increasing footfall to those areas.
It is hoped the animals will give residents, especially young people, added points of interest around the town as well as giving a “wow” factor for incoming visitors to spend more time in Oswestry which in turn will benefit retailers in the town.Councilor Hunt and officers have been out and about in Oswestry talking to retailers and schools to take part in the project. Many retailers have already shown a keen interest in hosting the smaller pieces in their shops. Local residents, community and Art groups are also being encouraged to get involved. Councilor Hunt said;“This new and exciting Safari Trail offers a unique selling point for Oswestry and will be a great asset for the town. It is important that we continue to invest in Oswestry as an exciting place to live and visit, for the greater well-being of all. It’s always nice to see something that’s got a bit of quirkiness and Frivolity. These animal sculptures will become local landmarks in their own right and will serve as a fitting entrance to the town centre and key locations throughout the town.“
We believe the Oswestry Safari Trail will really create a real sense of community spirit and will be something that local residents will support and be very proud of.”
The project has the potential of delivering new opportunities for people to get active through walking and to understand and appreciate the local landscape, its heritage, its places and the people.Funding for the supply and installation of the mostly iron statues will be met in the main by BIC with minor costs being incurred by either Shropshire Council or Oswestry Town Council.
This is singularly the biggest corporate sponsored / local government initiative to be implemented within the last decade or within Oswestry’s living memory.
For more information about the project, or if you would like to get involved in some way, please ring 01691 610952.
KING KONG INVADES THE MARCHES…
Staff at The British Ironwork Centre, Oswestry joined with The Marches School as one of the first sites in Oswestry to adopt a giant metal sculpture. As part of the Oswestry Urban Safari Trail the sculpture – an awesomely impressive Gorilla – will grace the front of the school visible by visitors and passers-by alike.Shropshire’s largest secondary school adopted the majestic Gorilla sculpture as part of a unique project to increase footfall and tourism in and around the Oswestry area. The 7ft Gorilla will take pride of place on the front lawn, within the school grounds, creating a dramatic and theatrical entrance for students, staff, parents, residents and visitors to the Oswestry area.
Ben Knowles from the British Ironwork Centre commented, “The Marches have been quick off the mark, in being one of the first to unveil a major sculpture within the Oswestry Safari Trail. The staff and pupils at both The Marches and the British Ironwork Centre are very excited to see the reactions of passes by and to be part of the first project of its kind in the country.
“Sarah Longville, Headteacher at The Marches School commented, “We are delighted to be supporting the Oswestry Safari Trail and providing a home for this wonderful Gorilla sculpture. I am sure our students will really enjoy getting involved with the trail and the animals around town will create a great talking point, for both residents and new visitors to Oswestry.
”Robert Butler, a member of the staff at the British Ironwork Centre aiding the installation added, “It is an amazing piece of art and judging the faces of onlookers whilst installation was taking place, we are confident it will soon become a local spectacle!”
Left to right – Sarah Longville, Ben Knowles, Vince Hunt and Martin Bennett.
