VISITORS to an upper dale beauty spot are in for an unusual surprise – a massive arch made using sheep’s wool.
Built by internationally-acclaimed installation artist Steve Messam the seven-metre high construction celebrates the Queens platinum jubilee.
It was commissioned by Utass (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services) with funding from the County Durham Community Foundation.
Mr Messam said the work was inspired by the many arches build in celebration of Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee more than 120 years ago.
He added: “For Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee in 1897 villages, towns and cities across the UK and Commonwealth constructed celebratory arches to mark the historic occasion.
“These were mostly temporary made with a timber framework and covered in wood panels or fabric and decorated to celebrate the local communities. One notable arch in Wickham, in Buckinghamshire, built their arch entirely from chairs in recognition of the furniture making industry in the town.”
The upper dale arch is in a field opposite Bowlees Visitor Centre along the path to Low Force and builds on the tradition by representing local farmers through the wool.
Grace Crawford, from Utass, said: “This area has been grazed by sheep for centuries and sheep and humans have been interwoven here throughout. The arch stands within a hay meadow that is an important part of the hill farming story.
“These meadows have been used for centuries to grow grass that is used to make hay, which is used to feed animals through the winter and they create a unique habitat supporting a broad range of plants.”
She added that it also highlights the fading use of wool in society.
Ms Crawford said: “The availability of a lot of alternative textiles means that farmers today often have to pay more to have their sheep sheared and transport the fleece to market, than they receive when the wool is sold.
“As one of the most sustainable fibres available in Britain, the question is what does the future hold for wool?”
About 200 fleeces from Swaledale and Mule sheep were used in the construction, with the black wool used to form the word “Teesdale” coming from Zwartbles sheep. The arch will remain in place until Monday, June 13.
