A colourful and thought-provoking fibreglass kingfisher has flown in and settled on Stonehouse’s Town Green.
The Kingfisher Trail is a sculpture trail taking place across the Cotswolds region this summer. Launching on May 31, today, and running into early October, it will provide a unique way for people to connect with nature and the great outdoors in 2021. It’s for everyone, so residents and visitors are all invited to join in with this accessible, fun and free activity.
Organised by the team at conservation organisation Cotswolds National Landscape, the Kingfisher Trail will encourage people to discover the giant kingfisher sculptures across two distinct routes inspired by the rivers Severn and Thames.
Town Mayor, Cllr Gary Powell, said: “We are delighted that Stonehouse has been included on the Kingfisher Trail and our sculpture is a really engaging and topical piece of artwork with a Greta Thunberg theme designed by Russell Haines.
“Visitors will be assured of a warm welcome and we hope to see lots of ‘selfies’ being taken on the Town Green over the summer. So, start planning your kingfisher spotting now, and while you are here, perhaps do some shopping and stop for refreshments at our cafes, restaurants and pubs.”
An App will be launched to coincide with the start of the Trail that will allow visitors to ‘tick off’ the kingfishers over the course of the summer.
The kingfisher has been chosen based on its reputation as a resilient and adaptable bird – characteristics shared with the communities and businesses the trail seeks to support as the recovery begins from the coronavirus pandemic.
The Kingfisher Trail will have 22 dazzling sculptures – all supported and creatively designed by celebrated national and local artists, led by internationally renowned painter, PJ Crook MBE.
Many of the exciting artists involved in the trail are based in and around the Cotswolds, and you can find out more about them all on the official trail website here: https://www.kingfishertrail.org/artists
