Community members welcome to take part in creating Ray Lonsdale's latest cycling installation situated in Tynemouth.
In the picturesque coastal town of Tynemouth, renowned British sculptor Ray Lonsdale is working on a new project that promises to become a significant landmark. The project, yet to be named, will celebrate the convergence of six long-distance cycle routes in the area, attracting thousands of visitors every year from the UK and overseas.
Lonsdale, famous for his large-scale steel sculptures that often depict historical and local themes, is known for engaging with community elements and storytelling through art. His works in Tynemouth are no exception, as they reflect the town's maritime heritage and local history, fostering a sense of pride and engagement among residents and visitors.
The six long-distance routes that meet in Tynemouth are part of the National Cycle Network. They include the Coast to Coast, the Reivers, Hadrian's Cycleway, Route 1, Coast and Castles (Newcastle to Berwick upon Tweed), and the North Sea Cycle Route (Eurovelo 12). This project, supported by North Tyneside Council and Destination North East England, aims to inspire visitors and residents to engage with cycling as a mode of transport and recreation.
Local people have contributed their experiences of long-distance cycling for incorporation into the artwork. Young people from Tynemouth Sea Scouts, Cubs, and Beavers groups have shared their ideas about an imagined bike journey, while the Linskill Scribblers, a local writing group, are creating a poem for the back panel of the sculpture. Designs celebrating Tynemouth's heritage, created by Cullercoats Methodist Art Group, are also being considered for the back panel of the bench.
Community events, such as drop-ins and workshops, are being organized to gather ideas for the sculpture. Ray Lonsdale's team has been working with local people to ensure the sculpture accurately reflects the town's culture, heritage, and natural environment. The results from an online survey, inviting local residents and long-distance cyclists to contribute to the piece, will contribute to the name of the sculpture, its orientation, and the interpretation panel.
Councillor Sandra Graham emphasizes cycling as a key part of North Tyneside's commitment to sustainability and carbon emissions reduction. The sculpture, located on the grass embankment just off Pier Road, is expected to encourage visitors to spend longer in Tynemouth's town center, making it a visually-striking tourist attraction, including a 1.8 metre high bench and vintage bicycle.
For detailed, specific information about the project, connected long-distance cycle routes, and how local stories and community members are involved, it would be advisable to consult local cultural organizations, Tynemouth town council resources, or art project websites directly related to Ray Lonsdale’s work in that area. The sculpture, once completed, is set to become a cherished addition to Tynemouth's landscape, celebrating the town's connection to the long-distance cycle routes and the community that makes it so unique.
- Ray Lonsdale's new project in Tynemouth, a significant landmark, will not only celebrate the convergence of six long-distance cycle routes but also embody the town's maritime heritage and local history, fostering a sense of pride and engagement among residents and visitors.
- In addition to cycling, the sculpture is expected to inspire interest in other aspects of life in Tynemouth, such as fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, pets, travel, cars, and shopping, as the town's culture, heritage, and natural environment are accurately reflected in the artwork.
- For those seeking more detailed information about the project, such as connected long-distance cycle routes, local stories, and community involvement, it would be advisable to consult local cultural organizations, Tynemouth town council resources, or art project websites directly related to Ray Lonsdale’s work in that area.
- The completed sculpture, a visually-striking tourist attraction featuring a 1.8 metre high bench and vintage bicycle, will become a cherished addition to Tynemouth's landscape, celebrating the town's connection to the long-distance cycle routes and the community that makes it so unique.
