Statue set to go on tour

A LIFE-size wooden statue is set to tour parts of Galloway next month.

Created by Robert Lawrence, the female statue is part of the region’s Woodlands Plus project.

It will sit on the new picnic bench at the top of Waterside Hill near St John’s Town of Dalry.

But before she is installed on the hillside, she will tour the Glenkens through May, igniting discussion and storytelling activities for all ages. Launching at the CatStrand on Friday May 1, the tour is partly for the sheer joy of it but also to introduce the project to the wider public.

Robert Lawrence said: “In Scotland there are only a small number of public statues depicting female figures. If you take Queen Victoria out of the equation a handful of examples remain. Even fewer from modern times. So it has been a great privilege for me to produce a figure to my community led brief of ‘an appropriate female image’ and ‘an image for all women’.

“Have I achieved it? I’ll leave you to decide.”

Other stops on the tour include:

• Friday May 1 ?- Launch at CatStrand, 3-3.45pm
• Friday May? 8 - Mossdale Village Hall Bar and Music, 7.30-10 pm
• Mon May 11?- LING Lunches, New Galloway Town Hall, 12.30-2 pm
• Saturday May 16 ?- Carsphairn Bairns Banter
• Tuesday May 19 ?- Dalry Library Garden, 2–5 pm
• Saturday May 23 ?- Balmaclellan Village Hall and plant sale
• Sunday May 31 ?- Unveiling on Waterside Hill, 11.30 am

Several of these travelling appearances will be accompanied by storyteller Anne Errington.

McNabb Laurie, manager of Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands, said: “It is simply impossible to be next to this figure and for it not to provoke discussion. This sculpture-part-artistic installation and part heritage engagement opportunity – has been lovingly created to form a feature of anyone’s walk along the Southern Upland Way.

“The tour of the Glenkens in May is only possible thanks to the support from a wide range of partners, thank you to all involved. If you see her out on her travels, please do say hello.