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Happy Valley - Sculptural Seating |
artist(s):
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Andrew Frost |
| location |
Llandudno [north Wales] |
| completed |
July 2001 |
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The Happy Valley park and ornamental rock gardens, nestling in a sheltered hollow on the eastern side of the Great Orme, was dedicated to the town of Llandudno by Lord Mostyn in 1887 in celebration of the Jubilee of Queen Victoria, and played an important part in the development of the town as a popular seaside resort dating as far back as the 1840’s. The park was officially opened on the 28th of August 1890 among great celebrations that included much singing accompanied by Monsieur J. Riviere’s famous orchestra. The gardens on the outskirts proved very popular with both visitors and locals with many festivals and events taking place here such as the crowning of the May Queen. Posters featuring Happy Valley depicting Llandudno as a holiday resort were displayed in railway stations throughout Britain including Euston in London.
Conwy County Borough Council started its Llandudno Open Space Project, renewing and renovating many features in the town in the latter years of the 20th Century. Their aim at Happy Valley, which had fallen into neglect and disrepair over the years, was to bring this much loved garden and park back to life and to introduce ways in which the people of Llandudno would also enjoy it. Quite a few young trees, which had naturally taken root through seed, were grubbed out and some larger elm trees were felled to restore the beautiful views over the east shore.
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Andrew Frost was commissioned to create 9 benches from the reclaimed elm which were to be sited in different areas of the rock gardens. He took as his theme the plants from the Great Orme and among others you can choose to sit on a Harebell bench, a Bellheather bench, a Thrift bench or a Pinecone bench! From your comfortable seat you can enjoy the beautiful gardens, surrounded by natural woodland and of course, the sea view.
Andrew works mostly with a chainsaw working from directly from memory and by eye. Born in Derbyshire where he still lives he began working as a Countryside Ranger and Forester after graduating in Fine Art from Bath in 1995. He then began combining outdoor work with creativity in the form of environmental sculptures. His work is often organic in nature, drawing from the immediate environment the sculpture is to be sited and the history of the local area. He has been commissioned by many including Trees of Time and Place, The Woodland Trust, Groundwork and the Peak District National Park.
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Happy Valley is within walking distance of the town or you can go by car, taking the Happy Valley Road that follows the base of the Great Orme by the Pier entrance on the Promenade. There is parking by the tea rooms at the park entrance or for the more ambitious walker follow the road up to the artificial ski centre and walk down the steep slopes through the wooded area and ornamental rock gardens. Here you can rest on Andrew’s benches and admire the beautiful panorama unfolding in front of you.
Cywaith Cymru . Artworks Wales managed the project on behalf of Conwy County Borough Council. 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.
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