Sheppard's delight: in the beautiful Cornish setting, Sustrans' mission to make the landscape accessible is perfectly served by a new bridge.Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable transport charity, promoting a vision to see the world adopt methods of transport that benefit the health of individuals and the state of the environment. To date they have been extremely successful with award-winning initiatives, including the National Cycle Network. Safe Routes to School, and Bike It. In short, they are far more than a charity for weird cyclists. Commissioning artwork has also been part of their programme, bringing delight and spectacle to their expanding cycle network that in itself has restored, rejuvenated re·ju·ve·nate tr.v. re·ju·ve·nat·ed, re·ju·ve·nat·ing, re·ju·ve·nates 1. To restore to youthful vigor or appearance; make young again. 2. and reopened previously inaccessible parts of our landscape. The William Cookworthy Bridge, while not pure art, is one such component, providing a valuable link in Clay Trails: part of the Network that includes 1.5km of paths over the former China Clay china clay, one of the purest of the clays, composed chiefly of the mineral kaolinite usually formed when granite is changed by hydrothermal metamorphism. Usage of the terms china clay and kaolin works in Cornwall, linking communities and visitors, and providing car-free access to the Eden Project (AR August 2001). Designed by local architect David Sheppard, the bridge is much more than the metal object that we see. It is part of larger, integrated, sculpted sculpt v. sculpt·ed, sculpt·ing, sculpts v.tr. 1. To sculpture (an object). 2. To shape, mold, or fashion especially with artistry or precision: landform land·form n. One of the features that make up the earth's surface, such as a plain, mountain, or valley. landform A recognizable, naturally formed feature on the Earth's surface. , that makes a place within this very specific landscape. An elevated viewing platform acts as a fulcrum fulcrum: see lever. between land and bridge, turning the route through almost 90 degrees. The artificial embankment--formed from 10 000 tons of 'stent' quarry waste--ascends to the pivot point Pivot Point A technical indicator derived by calculating the numerical average of a particular stock's high, low and closing prices. Notes: The pivot point is used as a predictive indicator. , recalling the monumental scale of earth movement and sculpting sculpting Cosmetic surgery The surgical reshaping of a tissue. See Deep tissue sculpting, Facial sculpting. that is characteristic of this area; a place where industry has brought a very specific identity. The bridge itself appealed to the Jury due to its physical and notional straightforwardness; a quality that is evident in the architect's description: a simply supported box girder, 25m in span. 2.5m wide and 450mm deep, with a 1.4m high parapet for horses and cyclists. It is beautifully simple, and the distinctive vertical fins, set at 100mm centres, discourage climbing toddlers, and play with the moire effect, causing the bridge's visual mass to change when seen in motion. It is a wonderful addition within a unique landscape, and a fitting memorial to the 300th anniversary of the man who founded Cornwall's China Clay industry. William Cookworthy. R. G. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] |
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