FOTP Acorns is a group that offers weekly, nature based activities to families. One of the most popular Acorns activities was listening to a dragon story, ‘Scout’s Tears’ written and illustrated by Judith Glover, one of the Friends, and following a picture trail to a dragons nest in the woods. Prompted by the children asking if they could see the dragons, the idea of installing a permanent Dragon Sculpture Trail came about. Sarah Mae Francis (https://sarahmaeart.co.uk) is a very talented , young, local artist who makes sculptures out of recycled metal. We came across her work online and were very impressed, especially as one of her pieces was a small dragon. We contacted her and she has agreed to be part of our project. Recycling and the environment both being high on our agenda. We also want to publish 6 more environmentally based dragon stories, written by Judith, introducing children to various issues like recycling, clean air and clean water in a fun way.

What we'll deliver:

• Installation of 5 recycled metal sculpture dragons made by Sarah Mae Francis
• Publication of 6 environmentally based Dragon Stories written by Judith Glover.
• Publication of a Dragon Trail leaflet
• Production of signage for the trail.

Why it's a great idea:

The Dragon Sculpture Trail will be permanently sited in Thanet Lee Woods and will be accessible and free to all. The trail will attract both local visitors and people from further afield. It will encourage families to get outdoors and active, benefitting both their mental and physical well-being. As an art trail it will be visited by people who may not normally access works of art and will encourage them to visit Towneley Hall Museum and Art gallery to seek out the dragon carvings on the furniture there and to appreciate other art works in their collection. The dragon stories will be read to groups of children (e.g. Brownies, Acorns) to make them aware of various environmental issues in a fun way and to encourage the next generation to care for their local environment. The stories also introduce activities such as litter picking and river dipping which children can experience for themselves, in groups lead by both the Friends of Towneley Park and Ribble Rivers Trust.

Steps to get it done:

• Commission the Dragon sculptures.
• Send the books to Burnley Council Graphics department and then the publisher
• Order the signage through Burnley Couincil Graphics department.
• Write and print the trail leaflet.
• Install the Dragon Sculptures.
• Install the signage.
• Launch the trail

One of the stories introduces the dragon carvings in Towneley Hall Museum and Art Gallery. This, along with our signage, will suggest that visitors continue their dragon hunt in the Hall. The link between park and Hall will encourage people to view the museum collection and art work which they might otherwise not consider doing.