Woodcarving in Broxtowe Estate

By creativenottinghamnorth

A wonderful creative neighbourhoods project has been taking shape over the last 2 months, to create carved wooden bollards for the new entrance way to Broxtowe Country Park in Aspley, Nottingham.  Woodcarver Martin Sommerville has been sharing his expertise with local children and residents, who have participated in a design process – drawing, modelling with clay and finally getting hands on with the woodcarving tools themselves – to create these stunning bollards.

Here are some images from various stages of the project. Installation of the bollards will be taking place from mid March and a launch event is planned for 7th April, with outdoor Easter activities and a ribbon cutting ceremony to thank all those involved!

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Saturday 14 January 2017, Broxtowe Community Club Food Around the World Event. The Carving Project was launched with a drawing & design workshop; looking at images from nature and taking inspiration from archaeological discoveries from the nearby Iron Age settlement/ Roman fort underneath the houses on Broxtowe Estate.
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Pupils from Strelley Djanogly School help think through designs, learn about woodcarving  and produce clay models.

“I like the idea of people in our community making this estate a better place.” Sophie – young person from Into University.

“I feel happy and involved with this. It’s really fun and it’s inspired me a lot. Thank you!!” Chloe, pupil from Strelley Djanogly.

“It’s a nice idea to create something that everyone can walk past and say something along the lines of ‘I participated in that.’ It will make people happy.” Maria, young person from  Into University.

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Circular inserts are being carved by young people to add to the larger bollard structures.

 

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Martin Sommerville at work at the Creative Quarter units in Sneinton Market.

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Many thanks to everyone on the Design Team: Leanne Hoban from Nottingham City Homes; Oliver Roberts from HLP Architects; Ryan Hunt, Nottingham City Council; Alastair Glenn, Broxtowe County Park Ranger, Cathy Mahmood, Creative Nottingham North Coordinator, Rebalancing the Outer Estates and Artist Martin Sommerville from By Our Hands.

Enormous thanks to Rev June Kirkham and the Broxtowe Community Club for their hospitality at St Marthas Church, the Hope Centre; pupils at Strelley Djanogly School, young people at Into University and Karen and Gary from Evolve youth clubs and all those who have taken part, added their ideas and supported the project.  Thanks to local Councillors for their support enabling additional youth workshops too!