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Sculpture Trail

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Coed Hills Rural Artspace New Woodland Sculpture Trail

Phased reopening Autumn 2010

The Woodland Sculpture Trail continues to receive woodland management and improvements. Following a period of complete renewal there will be a phased reopening from Autumn 2010. The woods have recently completed a vital thinning project (funded by a grant from Coed Cymru) that has been in operation since 2007 and so do not look as beautiful as they could, but we look forward to seeing the results of some necessary human intervention.

Before World War Two the woodland primarily consisted of oak (the remnants of which can still be seen on the old boundaries) which was clear-felled after the war and planted up with spruce, larch and ash to produce pit-props for the mining industry. After the industry collapsed in the 70s and 80s the woodland was left forgotten and neglected.

The trees were planted so close together that little light penetrated the canopy and only ivy seemed to thrive in the darkness. Mostly conifers have been removed to allow our native and naturalised deciduous species the greatest chance of growing in to large, healthy trees. As a result of having more light and more room the woodland will support more life and produce more valuable timber, but most importantly it will be a space where anyone can enjoy a walk in a beautiful space for generations to come.

A main attraction, since opening in 1997 as a rural arts centre, Scottish comedian Billy Connelly visited Coed Hills Woodland Sculpture Trail as part of his “World Tour of Ireland, England and Wales” in 2001, which was televised internationally. Soon after we received a massive influx of visitors, including people from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand. Billy wrote in our visitor book after living here for a week that he "didn't want to leave!". Soon later, we were awarded a grant to make improvements to the path, which now features over 0.5km of disabled-friendly access.

Call for artworks

As part of the ongoing development at Coed Hills Rural Artspace we are looking to site artwork on the new Woodland Sculpture Trail from Autumn 2010. This is an opportunity to get your work seen by the high number of visitors that the trail attracts and exhibit alongside other local and international artists.

The artwork can be of any size and medium but must be suitable for outdoor display. It must also be sensitive to the ethos of Coed and ideas of sustainability, community, ecology and alternative ways of living.

If you have work that would be suitable and you would like to find a home for it, be it on a temporary or permanent basis, please submit a proposal via email or post to:

New Woodland Sculpture Trail
Coed Hills Rural Artspace
St Hilary
Cowbridge
Vale of Glamorgan
CF71 7DP

giles@coedhills.co.uk

Please include images, an artist statement, dimensions and any installation criteria you have. Unfortunately we cannot offer a fee, but we will cover transportation, installation and publicity costs. There will be a re-opening of the trail later next year. (We do not currently fund projects, but can suggest funding bodies and help with providing materials.)