East Hampshire District Council has helped fund a wonderful ‘Sculpture Trail’ walk through the Catherington Lith Local Nature Reserve, complete with imaginative tree sculptures, information boards and a variety of infrastructure improvements.
Through our wide-reaching Grow Up! programme we have allocated £35,000 from the Rural Grant scheme, enabling Horndean Parish Council to deliver this phase of the Horndean Green Trail and Heritage Network Project.
The money has paid for four spectacular tree sculptures carved by renowned Farnham artist Michael Jones.
The money has also helped with improvements to the footpaths and enabled the installation of interpretation boards that inform walkers about the history and wildlife of The Lith. Additional infrastructure improvements and wildlife-friendly installations, such as owl boxes and insect hotels, have also been provided as part of the project. Much of this infrastructure work has been carried out with the help of local resident volunteer groups.
On top of this, EHDC secured a £20,000 grant from Hampshire County Council to fund a programme of public engagement looking into walking and cycling in the area.
The recently-held community consultations will examine the barriers and opportunities to healthy and sustainable travel and how it can be more accessible. An interactive online map showing local routes, stories and heritage features will be created.
Cllr Robert Mocatta, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Prosperity, said: “The new sculptures are absolutely fantastic and are a perfect complement to the network of footpaths and walkways that the nature reserve in Catherington Lith already enjoys.
“This project is all about getting people outside, out of their cars, and enjoying the countryside. Walking and cycling is a great way to keep fit and get around - it’s better for you and it’s better for the environment.
“But it’s easy to say that - if there’s no infrastructure in place then people can’t do it. That’s why we have helped to fund this fantastic green trail and that’s why we will engage with local people to find out what would encourage them to travel more actively.”
Cllr Andrew Redding, Chairman of Horndean Parish Council, said: “The Sculpture Trail is a superb start for the Horndean Green Trail & Heritage Network Project, which will be a wonderful and enduring environmental legacy that current and future residents of Horndean can be proud of.”