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Community Collaboration Marks a First for Weaver River Beauty SpotThe regeneration of Cheshire's historic Weaver Valley achieves a further stage this spring with a wide-ranging, £13,000 collaborative project to develop a popular beauty spot as an all-access picnic area and exhibition site for community-based environmental arts projects. Dutton Locks, on the River Weaver Navigation near Acton Bridge, has long been a favourite destination for walkers, horse riders and cyclists. In a joint project between British Waterways and the Weaver Valley Initiative, funded by INEOS Chlor and Vale Royal Borough Council, and supported by a number of authorities and voluntary organisations, the Locks are now being developed as an all-access picnic spot where the work of artists working in appropriate environmental fields can be displayed and appreciated. "We are particularly proud of the Dutton Locks project, which is a first for British Waterways," said Duncan Davenport, BW's manager for the River Weaver Navigation. "This is the first time that one of our lock sites has been developed in such an imaginative and sympathetic way by a community partnership representing so many different interests." Local artist Sarah Gallagher completed the first arts project at the end of March. Commissioned by the Weaver Valley Initiative, Sarah enlisted local volunteers to help her weave a living willow tunnel which the lock keeper reports has already become a popular children's attraction. Artist Phil Bews has been working on site. Phil has carved a bench based on the design of a typical Weaver Flat, the unique barge which traditionally hauled salt along the river from the Cheshire Salt Mines. Using timber from a 200-year-old, 90-ft beech tree from Marbury Country Park and donated by Cheshire County Council, the Weaver Flat seat will provide a welcome resting place for weary ramblers, with classic views of the unique Dutton Horse Bridge and viaduct. The final phase of the project, to be completed later in the summer, will involve the creation of a set of flags whose design will be based on children's images of the Weaver Navigation. Inspiration for the project came from former lock keeper, Carl Leckey, who has a collection of flags from boats which passed through Dutton locks. Ships from as far a field as Denmark, Holland and Gibraltar visited the Weaver Navigation. Local artist, Wendy Meadley is working with children from Weaverham Forest Primary School on the flag project Local farmer Mr Campbell has also kindly supported the project. The flags will be flying soon.
Co-ordination of the large number of voluntary, commercial, local government and state interests involved in the project was the responsibility of Weaver Valley Initiative Project Officer Ann Bates. "Dutton Locks shows what can be achieved when all those with a common interest work together for the benefit of the community," said Ann. "It is especially satisfying that, for the first time, this project gave us the opportunity to make an already-popular beauty spot genuinely accessible for the disabled." Work included upgrading the existing site through the installation of a disabled access pathway and wheel chair accessible picnic benches. Hedge plants were donated and planted by the Cheshire Landscape Trust, assisted by the Weaver Valley Initiative and volunteers from The River Weaver Navigation Society. Through the Weaver Valley Initiative, locally based chemical manufacturer INEOS Chlor, has contributed towards funding of the Dutton Locks Project with monies from the Landfill tax Credit Scheme. Janet Woods, Public Relations Executive for INEOS Chlor said "We are delighted to be involved in this project with funding coming from the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. In conjunction with local groups and organisations who do excellent work in this field, this Scheme helps to improve both the environment and facilities for our local community. This demonstrates INEOS Chlor's committment in both of these areas". Further funding was contributed by Vale Royal Borough Council, who also donated two willow arches from their garden display at last year's Royal Horticultural Society.
For further information please contact the INEOS Chlor Press Office: Craig Welsh |
