Art and nature schemes to mingle in the Dingle

Sep 18 2002 By Elgan Hearn, Holyhead And Anglesey Mail

DESIGNS to brighten up an Anglesey Nature Reserve will be decided this week, after locals had the chance to discuss the creations with the artists.

Sculptors commissioned by Dingle project partners have got together in the town to discuss what sort of sculptures will adorn the nature trail of The Dingle's 25-acre broadleaved Anglesey County Council owned Woodland Reserve in Llangefni.

Three artistswere chosen: Nigel Talbot from Cardiff, Reece Ingram fro m Cornwall and Dominic Clare from Nantmor, Snowdonia, and each were given a specific area of the Dingle for their own creations.

Reece said: "The exhibition at Llangefni Town Hall shows the locals what we are capable of creating, and gives them the chance of providing us with input and inspiration.

"We might decide to have similar themes."

The woodlands' major make-over will see a variety of access improvements, with work due to start in the next few weeks.

These include a disabled access ramp at station car park and wooden bridges across the river Cefni. Boardwalks and steps at various points within the reserve will make it more accessible-for visitors. Gwyn Morris Jones of Cwmni Tref Llangefni emphasised the project's importance.

He said: "We applied and received a grant worth £140,000 to improve the Dingle for people to use as a communityresource.

"Boardwalks and ramps mean that there is disabled access to the site.

"We are now considering what sort of themes we will take when work starts and several people have popped in to tell us what sort of designs they wish to see in the Dingle.

"Environmental, cultural and and historic themes need to be reflected within the design, and this includes the nearby St Cyngar church.

"Hopefully we will have an oasis of tranquillity here in Llangefni once the project is completed next year.

Nearby lake Llyn Pwmp will be enlarged and the project includes tree safety and biodiversity work.

It is hoped that the project will see closer links forged between the Llangefni residents and the woodland.

Historically the Dingle was a very popular spot for Llangefni and surrounding arearesidents to visit on nice sunny days.