Yate Town Council has secured funding for an exciting wildlife inspired, sculpture trail which will be installed at Millside Open Space in Yate.

The new trail will enhance the nature area and provide better integration with the addition of further play equipment.

A new funnel ball hoop and boat play feature are being installed during July and a wildlife sculpture trail will be added towards the end of the summer.

Councillor John Ford commented: "We are delighted to be able to progress the improvements and have worked closely with residents, to find out what they want included in the open space".

Local chainsaw artist, Andy O’Neill of Wild Wood Carving, has started work on eight new sculptures in his workshop, including a hedgehog and badger; the first creature to be completed is a buzzard with a 6ft wingspan. The sculptures will replace the original carved creatures which deteriorated over time and have been removed.

The funding for this project was successfully secured by a Yate Town Council bid submitted to South Gloucestershire Council, who secured and administered the funds through Section 106 (S106) financial contributions from housing developers on local sites.

Cabinet Member for Communities and Local Place, Councillor Rachael Hunt said: “We are delighted that we were able to secure these Section 106 financial contributions from nearby housing developers to fund the additional play equipment and sculpture trail at the Millside Open Space in Yate. These new features will be greatly enjoyed by the local community, and I really look forward to seeing the new sculptures created by local chainsaw artist Andy O’Neill.

“South Gloucestershire Council is committed to improving our communities, with over £10 million having been invested into our open areas and green spaces since 2015, and our total contribution to public open spaces across the Yate area is now over £1 million.”

Further information can be found at yatetowncouncil.gov.uk/parks-and-open-spaces