A scenic woodland trail at Bridgehead business park has been given a fresh creative update, with local schoolchildren once again adding their artistic flair as part of a continuing community project.
Pupils from Hessle High School and All Saints CE Junior Academy teamed up once more with local artist Louis Dorton to create new artworks for the popular wildlife walk in Hessle, East Yorkshire.
The collaborative project is funded and delivered by Wykeland Group, owner and developer of the business park, as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to community involvement and education.
The latest additions include imaginative “dead hedge” fencing and colourful hand-crafted birds, adding character and a touch of whimsy to the natural surroundings.
Pupils from Hessle High worked together to create a striking sculptural fence using traditional dead-hedging techniques. Formed from a series of interlocking pyramid shapes filled with logs and wood, the structure is not only a beautiful piece of woodland art in its own right, but provides valuable shelter for insects and small mammals. It also helps guide visitors along the trail while protecting delicate plants and habitats nearby.
The younger children at All Saints turned their attention to the treetops – researching, designing and making a flock of bright, quirky ceramic birds. Some now perch on the sculptural fence, while others can be spotted dotted among the branches and tree trunks, adding a playful and imaginative touch to the woodland walk.
Wykeland Marketing Manager Natalia Rudd said: “Each year, we’re amazed by the creativity the pupils bring to the trail. Their work brings fresh energy and adds so much character to the woodland walk.
“It’s fantastic to see pupils taking pride in something that will be seen and enjoyed by so many others – from people working at Bridgehead to members of the public who visit and explore the trail.”
Wykeland has been working with local schools since 2011 on creative projects linked to its development sites, with more than 1,500 children taking part so far.
The programme aims to inspire creativity and confidence through hands-on experiences that connect pupils with their local environment and community. Through the project, pupils work with natural materials and learn about the importance of supporting insects, birds and small mammals, and the habitats they rely on.
The Bridgehead art trail project is one of Wykeland’s most established initiatives and marked its tenth year in 2024.
Elaine Burke, Wykeland’s Community Engagement Consultant, said: “We are once again very proud of the children and young people who have worked so hard with artist Louis Dorton to create beautiful, sensitive and inspiring artworks for the Bridgehead trail.
“All of the pupils involved have really thought about their creations and have designed them to make a difference to wildlife at Bridgehead and to those who use the woodland trail. We are so impressed by their wonderful work.”
Artist Louis Dorton added: “This year’s project at Bridgehead has been even more creative than ever! Pupils from both schools have taken the lead in developing their ideas for the artworks, which are just outstanding.
“Everyone has worked together, testing their designs, learning about the species the artworks will support, and they have gained so much confidence as their beautiful creations have taken shape! It’s wonderful to see the new artworks in their natural place at Bridgehead – a perfect addition to this creative and well-loved woodland trail.”
Zoey Newsham, Head of School at All Saints CE Federation of Academies, said: “Louis’s creative sessions with our children are such an inspiration – developing their creativity and imagination, and exciting them about nature! How special that the children have their artworks installed at Bridgehead, enjoyed by the public – and are celebrated and valued as important members of the community.
“We are very proud of our connection with Wykeland and Bridgehead – it gives us unique opportunities and experiences that our children wouldn’t otherwise have.”
The woodland trail at Bridgehead was designed and delivered by Wykeland in partnership with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, which continues to manage the site’s natural habitat under a formal framework agreement signed between the two organisations in October 2024. The agreement sets out a shared commitment to protecting and enhancing the site’s biodiversity for the long term, while creating opportunities for education and community involvement. The 1km route has become a much-loved nature walk for workers at Bridgehead and local residents.
Wykeland has also hosted a series of free seasonal workshops in the woodland over the past year, open to the public. Held in autumn, spring and summer, the sessions were led by local artists Liz and Louis Dorton, with support from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Outer Humber Officer, Andy Gibson.
Children and families were invited to take part in nature-inspired crafts, using materials found around the woodland – such as willow, seed heads, cones and feathers – to create mobiles, crowns and weavings celebrating the seasons and the woodland surroundings.
Visitors to Bridgehead are encouraged to explore the trail, enjoy the latest artworks and see for themselves how young people are helping to shape this unique woodland walk.
