Details of Elan Valley Trail Benches from the Cywaith Cymru

Cywaith Cymru Artworks wales - the national organisation for public art in Wales

	Elan Valley Trail Benches
	artist(s):	Dominic Clare
	location	Rhayader [mid Wales]
	completed	March 2000
		Elan Estates and Powys County Council commissioned an artist to create sculptural seating for the Elan Valley Trail, which follows the path of the dismantled railway alongside four dams on the Elan Estate near Rhayader in Powys. The trail is a nine kilometre pedestrian path which in 2000 was developed as a cycle route to link in with the National Cycle Network being developed by Sustrans. Dominic Clare from Penrhyndeudraeth in north Wales was selected and worked with softwoods from the estate - European Larch, Douglas Fir and Sitka Spruce as well as local oak - to create nine unique benches which offer some respite and comfort to the cyclist and walker at one kilometre intervals on this quite steep uphill path. They also provide ideal places to stop and admire the fantastic views!
		In the mid 19th Century Birmingham's growing need for water prompted a search for a reliable supply. The Elan and Claerwen area with over 1500mm of rain per year and easily dammed valleys were ideal. The plan was to build six dams, three on the River Elan and three on the Claerwen. The Elan dams, Craig Goch, Pen-y-Garreg, and Garreg Ddu with Caban Coch were opened in 1904 while the three Claerwen dams were never built but replaced by one large dam – the Claerwen - constructed between 1946 and 1952. The Elan Valley railway was built in 1893 to facilitate the construction of the dams and its old route provided an ideal track for the cycle trail.
		Since graduating in Fine Art from Leeds in 1985 Dominic Clare has worked on many commissions and residencies throughout Britain. In 1995 he completed his first commission with Cywaith Cymru – a table and seating for Halo Foods in Towyn. Since then he has worked on numerous projects including residencies at Parc Plas Mawr in Penmaenmawr and at Celtica Machynlleth and commissions at the Dingle and Tyddyn Môn in Anglesey. The path is easy to follow with distinctive Red Kite waymarkers all along its length and information boards with maps placed at suitable intervals. The distinctive entrance is off the B4518 from Rhayader which leads to the Elan Valley Visitor Centre. Cycle hire is avialble from the cycle shop in East Street, Rhayader. Cywaith Cymru . Artworks Wales managed the project on behalf of Elan Estates and Powys County Council. Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity made a financial contribution to the project through their Millennium Grant Programme. As the national organisation for public art in Wales Cywaith Cymru works closely with clients, advising on the selection of appropriate sites and managing the whole commission process from the selection of artists, preparing contracts and overseeing the programme of work. More information and other documentation Word document: No Word document is available PDF File: No PDF file is available Video clip: No video clip is available

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