Bookbench Trail at Hodsock Priory, North Nottinghamshire
NORTH NOTTS BID is now encouraging residents and visitors to follow the new ‘BookBench’ sculpture trail that has been unveiled across North Nottinghamshire last month.
Available for the public to explore across the region, the North Notts Journeys ‘BookBenches’ have been created by local schools in partnership with artists and businesses, celebrating the region’s heritage while showcasing its creative talents.
The trail has been organised by North Notts BID in collaboration with Wild in Art – a leading producer of spectacular public art events – and includes 40 uniquely designed benches on display across Worksop, Retford, Harworth and Tuxford.
The benches can be uncovered using a virtual trail map, available to download on the North Notts Journeys website, or printed versions that can be picked up in shops and cultural institutions around North Nottinghamshire.
Sally Gillborn, chief executive of North Notts BID, said: “After 18 months of planning, we are tremendously excited that the ‘BookBench’ trail has finally launched. We’re really looking forward to seeing people explore the sculptures with their friends and family – uncovering parts of North Nottinghamshire that they may have never seen before and helping to drive footfall back towards the town centres to support local businesses after a difficult year.”
The trail will run for eight weeks throughout the summer and features a selection of vivid designs that celebrate the area’s rich literary history, promoting a life-long love of reading and coinciding with the return of the North Notts Lit Fest in September.
Several of the ‘BookBench’ designs are also inspired by the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower crossing – telling the story of its significance within the region – and more modern journeys that include a heart-warming tribute to NHS key workers.
Sally continued: “The trail is an incredible tribute to the local community – both past and present – so we hope that people enjoy visiting it as much as we have enjoyed putting the project together. As part of the initiative, we’re also encouraging people to share their experiences of the ‘BookBenches’ by posting pictures on social media with the hashtag #NorthNottsJourneys, so we can see first-hand how much fun people are having while following the trail.”
When the trail comes to an end in September, the ‘BookBenches’ will be returned to schools that have taken part in the project so they can continue to inspire creativity among students for years to come.
