Local communities and schools have been engaged in developing Community artworks in close proximity to the route of the cycleway. The unique artworks placed along the National Cycle Route have been designed to reflect the uniqueness and heritage of their particular village as part of the Loops and Links project.
In order to consult with groups and develop themes and ideas for the artwork a number of workshops were run with both schools and adults. Artist Michael Disley worked with local school children to carve stones, which the schools have kept.
Based on the imagery and comments from the workshops and historical research, the artist devised three design options for a main sculpture in a number of villages that would accompany 3 stone seats. These designs were passed onto local schools and communities to vote for a favourite. Most designs have now been chosen, a few have been installed on the route and the remainder are currently being sculptured.
To find out more about the Loops and Links Community Artwork please download a copy of the Linking Your Communities: A Commemorative Book (4.65 Mb .pdf)
Choose to view a village by clicking the tab below, move your mouse towards each design to view a larger version of each sketch.
All design options are shown below. Guess which design won?
The designs are centred on the canal, the local villages and the flood of 1875.
All design options are shown below. Guess which design won?
The artist has taken inspiration from the history of the area e.g. the river and the Mill.
All design options are shown below. Guess which design won?
The designs for Maesycwmmer incorporate the Viaduct and the Woollen Mill.
All design options are shown below. Guess which design won?
The three designs depict aspects of Nelson’s history. The artist has combined ‘railways’ and ‘Nelson’ in an imaginative way.
All design options are shown below. Guess which design won?
The designs are based around the mines situated within the area, showing miners at work and travelling down the colliery face.
All design options are shown below. Guess which design won?
For the Ynysddu design, the artist used a poem by Rev. William Thomas who is known as ‘The Poet Islwyn.’ The poem used was “Early and Late Trains.”