VISITORS to River Bourne Community Farm in Cow Lane, Salisbury often admire the sculpted cow made from found wood which stands proudly in the field adjacent to the road.

The cow was made during a Nature of Art in Wessex activity day held with sculptor Charlotte Moreton at last year’s Salisbury International Arts Festival.

“We started with a pile of sticks and ended up with a cow,” said Gjenya Cambray the project officer for Nature of Art in Wessex which is nearing the end of its three year funding programme.

The funding has been provided by Natural England/BIG Lottery as the project’s aim is to use arts to increase access to nature for hard to reach groups.

“It has been a really successful project,”

Gjenya added. “And we are hoping for funding for next year.”

As well as the work at the community farm, which also includes the addition of nature trails around the farm, the project has also worked in Eastleigh, Andover, Portsmouth, Swindon and the Isle of Wight, working with more than 5,000 participants ranging in age from two to 92.

And the project will be in evidence at many events during this year’s festival from a tree-dressing day at Emsworth to a delightful meadows and down trail at Partridge Way, Old Sarum on Friday, June 1 as part of River Bourne community farm’s series of trails.

Along the trail you will be able to see some more of Moreton’s creations using art in nature.

Saturday, June 2 will see the project showcased in its own marquee in Bourne Hill gardens as part of the big play event.

Participants of the project have made wishing trees, which will be at the event.