Hidden Lands unveiled at Milton Creek Country Park

The Deputy Mayor of Swale unveiled three new sculpture benches at Milton Creek Country Park in Sittingbourne, as part of our Hidden Lands project, inspired by designs from the local community.   [caption id="attachment_464153" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Mayor of Swale, Cllr Sarah Stephens, during the unveiling of the Hidden Lands stone benches[/caption]   Hidden Lands, a co-commissioned project from us and Creative Estuary, worked with a community panel to choose artist Patrick Walls to create three stone benches. Each bench feature designs created workshops at the park and with Year 6 pupils from Regis Manor Primary School and members of the public.   Lynda Marshall from The Friends of Milton Creek said: "The benches are lovely and will make a valuable addition to the Park as they will last for many years. They are replacing some of our original carved logs that are now coming to the end of their life and returning to nature."   [caption id="attachment_464154" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Hidden Lands Project Manager, Faye Thorley[/caption]   Hidden Land Project Manager, Faye Thorley said: "Community and collaboration have played an integral role in the Hidden Lands project, driving every step of the decision process. It has been a joy to work with Pat, the community partners and community participants, who all share a similar vision of creating unity, and opportunity whilst celebrating Sittingbourne's natural environment. The finished results are stunning and will be enjoyed by the local people for years to come. They can’t help but put a smile on one’s face! A big thank you to everyone involved."   You can also listen to an interview that our Director Tracy Brunt and some of the participants gave to Pete Flynn of 106.9 SFM Radio during the unveiling event in early October 2022.   [embed]https://soundcloud.com/user-651657029/hidden-lands-unveiling-interview-on-1069-sfm-radios-in-the-bourne?si=70851866c9be40e097aef98bf82a3485&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing[/embed]

Coming soon: Hidden Lands: The Stanchion

Raybel Charters,  our partners for the next phase of Hidden Lands, are leading on workshops with the established artist and sculptor Patrick Walls, who created the three benches at Milton Creek Country Park. Drawing in on the history and ecology along Milton Creek, Pat will guide participants to create small-scale sculptors and stone carvings, which will inspire a large landmark artwork to be installed at Milton Creek Country Park in 2023. The workshops are suitable for anyone aged 10 and above and adults are welcome to take part.   Hidden Lands is a Ideas Test and Creative Estuary co-commission, supported by The Friends of Milton Creek, Raybel Charters, Swale Borough Council, Essential Land LLP, Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway (SKLR) and Swale CVS.