Information on Leicestershire

Leicestershire thinks the Aurochs rocks!

Posted on 23/11/10

Leicestershire Councty Council

23 November 2010Leicestershire thinks the Aurochs rocks!

Two Bronze Age people and an Aurochs (an extinct wild ox) will be immortalised in a new piece of public art.

Leicestershire people were invited to vote for who (or what!) appeared on a new portrait bench to mark Watermead Country Park's Sustrans Connect2 project.

The bench will feature silhouette style cut outs of the three figures. The archaeological trio fought off tough competition in the public vote, including naturalist David Attenborough, transport pioneer Thomas Cook and rugby world cup winner Martin Johnson.

Despite the well known names in the shortlist it was the wildlife that proved most popular a close second to the Aurochs and his Bronze Age chums was a wildlife trio, featuring a heron, dragonfly and reeds.

The portrait bench is an art initiative from UK charity Sustrans, which is one of the largest commissioners of public art in the UK and is the charity enabling people to travel by foot, bike and public transport for everyday journeys.

Lesley Pendleton, Leicestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: Watermead Country Park is already home to a dinosaur play trail and a life size Woolly Mammoth, so the Aurochs will fit right in!

Local people voted for Connect2 to receive the Big Lottery money, so it was fitting they got the chance to choose who is immortalised on the commemorative portrait bench.

There will be a portrait bench at each of the Connect2 projects up and down the country.

Watermeads Connect2 project is a 1.4 million scheme to improve paths, access and bridges in and around the park. It is part of Sustrans nationwide Connect2 scheme which won 50 million from the Big Lottery Fund in the 2007 Peoples Millions contest.

Patrick Davis, Area Manager for Sustrans, added: The bench will add a great focal point as well as offering a place to meet and rest with some interesting characters for company. I cant wait to see the finished bench

Plans for the location of the new bench will be released shortly.

To keep up to date with work on Connect2 visit www.leics.gov.uk/connect2

or check Watermeads facebook page: www.facebook.com/watermead

ENDS

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