Evening all!
How are you?
Now, some of you may remember the old Ashby hide. It used to be the hide at the entrance of the reserve (before the visitor center was built), and unfortunately it had to be taken down (it's legs were rotting). This was one of my favourite hides, it had a really stunning mural (as do they all)... so I thought I would include this hide as well!
Here we go:
Old Ashby Hide
What can we see from here?A variety of habitats have been created in front of this hide: deep water, muddy shallows, reedbed and fen, wet woodland of willow or alder, and woodland, together with flood meadow and drainage ditches. These represent the ancient habitats of the Lee Valley. This wide range of habitats encourages a tremendous diversity of flora and fauna.
What does the mural show?The enormous variety of species on the reserve is depicted here: from mammals to reptiles, to birds, flowers, trees and insects. Rhythms of colour create a flow of movement through the multitude of species, with splashes of contrast. Many of the creatures and plants are often seen, but some rarely seen reserve specialities, are also included in the mural.
Who is the artist?Rebecca Chesney had always wanted a career as an artist, and began taking on contract work while she was at school. She trained as a fine art sculptor at Lancaster College, but regards herself as a broad-based worker, using a variety of media. She particularly enjoys producing outdoor sculpture, and developed Lake Vyrnwy Sculpture Trail. She has had work in Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop for the Festival and Norwich Sculpture Park. She has created wildlife displays for Norfolk Wildlife Trust, RSPB Minsmere, Strumpshaw and Surlingham, and Pelham Field Studies Centre.
We are nearly at the end of our little series! Oh no! :(More next time!Bye for now,Lou