“We’re really excited to be introducing Meander and Gathering to the trail, and it’s great that we’ve been able to use this opportunity to explore different ways of experiencing the sculptures. Both sculptures bring something new to the trail and we can’t wait to see them in place for visitors to enjoy.”
Sarah Bowden, chair of Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust CIO
Please join us to welcome our latest sculptures ‘Meander’ by Kristina Veasey and ‘Gathering’ by Julian Wild to the Trail at a free celebratory event on Saturday 10 June from 12pm – 3pm.
Kicking off the celebrations are local brass band Forest of Dean Brass who will be playing from 12-1pm next to ‘Meander’ and then join us as we walk up to the site of our newest sculpture ‘Gathering’.
‘Gathering’ is an interactive and colourful artwork that encourages physical engagement from visitors. Created by artist Julian Wild, the sculpture consists of 12 coloured metal vertical forms grouped together in a clearing to represent natural structures found in the woodland, recalling shoots growing out of the ground. Joined to these structures are several mirror-polished stainless-steel elements that resemble the shape of woodland fungi.
Julian worked with local school children at Heart of the Forest School, and included their ideas for incorporating tactile touch points, reflective surfaces and colours into the final piece. Alongside the smooth surfaces of the fungi, texture panels are hidden on some of the sculptures for people to find, which enhances the experience of the artwork for visually impaired visitors.
The artwork is accessible to wheelchair users with newly laid paths and level areas and is positioned close to Speech House Woodlands car park for vehicle access.
‘Meander’ by visual artist Kristina Veasey, was installed in March 2023 and carries on Veasey’s exploration of access to nature and what immersion in the forest can inspire.
‘Meander’ is a steam-bent oak bench designed as a resting place that invites visitors following the trail to stop and spend time in the beauty of the forest. Its strong, winding form represents the resilience and solidarity found woven through the landscape, heritage, and people of the Forest of Dean.
Veasey joined sculptor and leading steam-bending expert, Charlie Whinney, to collaborate on the piece at Charlie Whinney Studios. The large natural pieces of quarried Forest of Dean sandstone supporting the sculpture have been provided by Birch Hill Quarry.
Both sculptures will remain on the trail permanently, bringing the total number of artworks on the trail to 18. Both works are close to carparks (Beechenhurst and Speech House Woodlands car park respectively) and the shorter and more level routes to these new sculptures will hopefully allow more visitors to engage with the trail – particularly those who experience mobility issues or have young children and buggies.
Event information
- Saturday 10 June
- 12pm – 3pm
- Free
- The event will start at Beechenhurst and end at Speech House Woodland.
- The Speech House Woodlands car park allows closer access to Gathering whereas Meander is easiest to reach via the main Beechenhurst site.
How to find the new sculptures:
- Find Meander at the what3words location ///letters.wept.fallback
- Find Gathering at the what3words location ///sports.loaded.unicorns
- Download our updated Sculpture Trail map before visiting or pick one up from the Beechenhurst cafe for £1
Forestry England operate a pay-for-parking car park, toilet facilities, a cafe and picnic areas at Beechenhurst. Beechenhurst is on a direct bus route from Gloucester as well as part of The Robin local bus service route. To plan your visit, go to Forestry England’s Beechenhurst webpage.
