New benches are just the beginning at Ulley

These two beautiful rustic timber benches have now been installed at Ulley Country Park and feature chainsaw carvings of an owl, squirrel, sheep and a rabbit.

The benches were commissioned by the park’s friends group and cost £1,500, which was funded by a grant.

Group secretary Paul Nash said the benches were not the only exciting addition to be added to the park this year.

He said: “Our next project is a three-sided, stone wall amphitheatre.”

Work has started on the £3,500 performance area which has been funded by a grant from Rother Valley West Area Assembly.

“Hopefully, this area will encourage schools and people to put on outdoor productions and we are hoping to get a tarpaulin cover for it as well,” he added.

The 350-strong friends group met Sheffield-based chainsaw sculptor, Lorraine Botterill, when she did a demonstration at a family day at the country park.

The friends were so impressed they commissioned her to weave her magic in the woodland.

Paul said the unique benches and amphitheatre were just two examples of how the group had worked hard over the past ten years to bring something new to the green space.

“We’ve built bird boxes, picnic areas, litter bins and we’ve had lots of lovely feedback about the benches saying that they are so different,” he said.

This year the group also introduced the Green Man Trail - a sculpture trail featuring carvings of mythical faces -  to the park.

Paul added: “It’s becoming a bit of an outdoor gallery.

“We try to encourage people to visit the park and see something apart from the beautiful surroundings.

“We hope to extend the Green Man Trail right around the park, while Thrybergh Country Park has also followed suit.

Paul joked: “We are trailblazers.”