Secrets of Nuneaton
This section of the National Cycle Network leaves the Bedworth towpath and travels along the Wem Brook Trail into Nuneaton. To the South of Nuneaton it passes George Eliot Community School, the new Pingles Sports and Leisure Complex and enters Riversley Park to reach the Museum and Art Gallery. To the North, the path branches to join Weddington Country Walk.
The Brief
A Lead Artist, Lesley Kerman, was appointed to study the route and make a series of proposals. These included a planting scheme of yellow crocuses to commemorate the Battle of Bosworth, laser light sky projections from three points along the path to mark the centre of England, a series of clear resin bricks containing items associated with the history of Nuneaton with back lighting. This pedestrian tunnel, an old cattle creep under the railway in Riversley Park, a heavily used link route which was in need of renovation was selected by the project steering group as most dramatic site in need of potential artwork.
Artists
In addition to Lesley Kerman, Andrew Skelton was recommended to design seating areas on the path.
This project was funded by the Arts Council England, West Midlands, Sustrans, The Onyx Environmental Trust, Nuneaton & Bedworth District Council, Warwickshire County Council and the George Elliott Fellowship.
Weddington Walk Butterfly Bench and Perches by Andrew Skelton
Carefully crafted from a combination of oak, cast iron and stone, double up as seating and bike stands, and include intricate butterfly detail of the specific local species.
Secrets Of Nuneaton by Lesley Kerman
FOLLOWING REPEATED VANDALISM AND SEVERAL ROUNDS OF REPAIRS, IT IS WITH GREAT REGRET THAT WE HAVE HAD TO REMOVE 'THE SECRETS OF NUNEATON' FROM THE RIVERSLEY PARK RAILWAY TUNNEL. THE RELOCATION OF THE WORK IS CURRENTLY UNDER DISCUSSION. IN THE MEANTIME PLEASE VIEW THE WORK BELOW:
Community Consultation
Everyone in the town was invited to make suggestions as to what should be included in the resin bricks and many people donated items. Some of the bricks make reference to works of art inspired by life in Nuneaton, by George Eliot and Ken Loach. Every brick contains silk ribbon which has been woven here since the seventeenth century and is still made in the area today.
