A LOAD of old concrete or modern art which should be preserved and displayed in the town?
That was the question put before Barnard Castle councillors last week.
Members of the town’s partnership committee were asked what they thought should be done with four sculptures which form part of a sensory garden in the grounds of the castle.
English Heritage is planning to transform the garden – opened as part of millennium celebrations in 2000 – which officials say is now looking dated.
The sculptures – in the form of arrow slits, crenellations, a honeycomb and tree trunks – have been deemed surplus to requirements. At the latest meeting of the committee, clerk Michael King said suggestions would be welcomed from members as to how the objects might be displayed in and around town.
Cllr Roger Peat was sceptical about the sculptures’ aesthetic value.
However, Matthew Read, director of the Bowes Centre for Art, Craft and Design, who represents the museum on the committee, said: “I think they are absolutely fantastic.
“Don’t throw them away until we have thought about it. I think the town needs more sculpture. Before they go in the skip, bear us in mind.”
He suggested a new home could be found for them in the museum grounds, adding that there was a need to add contemporary sculpture to the museum.
Other suggestions included the area of land at the back of The Witham, the Hub, at Shaw Bank and the “nice green area up by the old police station” .
Cllr Richard Child queried what moving the sculptures would entail. He asked Mr Read whether planning permission would be required to place the pieces in the museum grounds.
“Yes we do,” replied Mr Read. Cllr Peat asked: “Do we have to move them?”
And Cllr Child added that once moved, “they will need to be installed and checked” .
Committee chairwoman Cllr Judi Sutherland said members had a bit of time to come up with ideas.
Mr King said English Heritage was planning to submit a planning application for the revamp of the sensory garden.
Earlier this year, councillors were told English Heritage wanted to create something more in keeping with the environment in place of the garden. This included a community orchard, wildflower meadow and seasonal bulbs.
Rather than being an enclosed area in the castle grounds, the plan would be for the new area to flow into the rest of the grounds.
