A scenic woodland trail has been given a fresh creative update, with local schoolchildren once again adding their artistic flair as part of a continuing community project.
Pupils from Hessle High School and All Saints CE Junior Academy teamed up once more with local artist Louis Dorton to create new artworks for the popular wildlife walk at the at Bridgehead business park in Hessle, East Yorkshire.
The collaborative project is funded and delivered by Wykeland Group, owner and developer of the business park, as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to community involvement and education.
The latest additions include imaginative “dead hedge” fencing and colourful hand-crafted birds, adding character and a touch of whimsy to the natural surroundings.
Pupils from Hessle High worked together to create a striking sculptural fence using traditional dead-hedging techniques. Formed from a series of interlocking pyramid shapes filled with logs and wood, the structure is not only a beautiful piece of woodland art in its own right, but provides valuable shelter for insects and small mammals.
The younger children at All Saints turned their attention to the treetops – researching, designing and making a flock of bright, quirky ceramic birds, adding a playful and imaginative touch to the woodland walk.
Wykeland Marketing Manager Natalia Rudd said: “Each year, we’re amazed by the creativity the pupils bring to the trail. Their work brings fresh energy and adds so much character to the woodland walk.
“It’s fantastic to see pupils taking pride in something that will be seen and enjoyed by so many others – from people working at Bridgehead to members of the public who visit and explore the trail.”
Wykeland has been working with local schools since 2011 on creative projects linked to its development sites, with more than 1,500 children taking part so far.
Elaine Burke, Wykeland’s Community Engagement Consultant, said: “We are once again very proud of the children and young people who have worked so hard with artist Louis Dorton to create beautiful, sensitive and inspiring artworks for the Bridgehead trail.
“All of the pupils involved have really thought about their creations and have designed them to make a difference to wildlife at Bridgehead and to those who use the woodland trail. We are so impressed by their wonderful work.”
Zoey Newsham, Head of School at All Saints CE Federation of Academies, said: “Louis’s creative sessions with our children are such an inspiration – developing their creativity and imagination, and exciting them about nature.
“We are very proud of our connection with Wykeland and Bridgehead – it gives us unique opportunities and experiences that our children wouldn’t otherwise have.”
The woodland trail at Bridgehead was designed and delivered by Wykeland in partnership with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, which continues to manage the site’s natural habitat under a formal framework agreement signed between the two organisations in October 2024.
The agreement sets out a shared commitment to protecting and enhancing the site’s biodiversity for the long term, while creating opportunities for education and community involvement. The 1km route has become a much-loved nature walk for workers at Bridgehead and local residents.