Sculpture marks new page in beck's story

A new artwork celebrates the story of a beck's restoration.

The sculpture, at Barrow Bay on Derwent Water, in Cumbria, was created by Northumbrian artist Daniel Weatheritt to mark efforts to revive freshwater habitats in the area.

Weatheritt said he was proud to see the artwork installed, as it had been among the "most challenging" he had designed.

It sits beside the footpath near Ashness Gate jetty, at the point where Barrow Beck flows into Derwent Water, close to the new boardwalk.

Barrow Beck was recently restored as part of the National Trust's Riverlands programme, reconnecting it with its natural course and improving habitat for wildlife.

Carved in oak and finished with wood stains, the sculpture takes the form of a layered storybook design, reflecting the movement of water through the landscape.

Its carvings were inspired by nearby landmarks, including Ashness Bridge and views across Derwent Water and Cat Bells.

"The artwork has proved to be the most complex hardwood piece I have designed and built to date, testing my traditional woodworking skills and encouraging me to learn new image-making techniques, including pyrography and experimenting with wood stains," Weatheritt said.

A spokesperson for the National Trust and West Cumbria Rivers Trust said local young people had also helped shape the piece.

"We hope it will be a meaningful and inspiring addition to this special place, complementing the sculptures already around the lake and giving visitors something new to discover," the spokesperson said.

The installation links with West Cumbria Rivers Trust's Watery Walks, a series of self-guided trails exploring rivers across west Cumbria.

A new Derwent Water walk has also been added to the collection.

This project is funded by the government's Species Survival Fund.

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