Turner Trails welcomed in Wetherby
Published: 1 April 2011
A Wetherby beauty spot which inspired JMW Turner has been commemorated as part of a campaign to allow visitors to follow in the artist's footsteps.
The Turner Trails have been welcomed in Wetherby with a bench and interpretation board, installed at the riverside, by the county's official tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire.
The Trails, supported by a £50,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), allow visitors to follow in Turner's footsteps as he painted and sketched over 800 views across 70-plus sites in Yorkshire.
Turner visited Wetherby in 1816 during his extensive tour of Yorkshire to collect material for the history of York series. He had been asked to make 120 watercolours and this was the most valuable commission he had received to date.
Welcome to Yorkshire's chief executive Gary Verity and Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for Yorkshire and the Humber, were today joined by Wetherby councillor John Procter for an official unveiling.
Gary said: "Turner was a fantastic ambassador for Yorkshire and we are proud to bring his legacy to the people of Wetherby to highlight the town's historical and important link to this world renowned artist."
Fiona said: "As one of the most imaginative artists of the 19th century, Turner had a special connection with Yorkshire. This equally imaginative trail will now serve to continue that legacy for locals and visitors alike for years to come."
The Turner Trails have sparked widespread interest after generating more than 37,000 hits on Yorkshire.com since their launch last June.
Digital podcasts about the Trails have also been recorded by Yorkshire ambassadors who join Turner expert Professor David Hill of Leeds University in exploring places painted and sketched by the artist.
These include the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, David Lascelles of Harewood House, artist Ashley Jackson and Ken Hawley MBE of the Hawley Collection Trust, Sheffield.
All four episodes can be downloaded along with audio tours and walking maps.
Benches have also been installed at viewpoints as well as interpretation panels providing additional information for visitors. The Wetherby interpretation board and bench overlook the river near the Wilderness Car Park.
The Trails include some of the region's most famous sites such as Fountains Abbey and Rotherham Minster as well as some of the secret corners.
Turner Facts:
• Joseph Mallord William Turner was born on 23 April 1775 in London's Convent Garden
• The artist was a frequent visitor to Yorkshire in the early 1800's
• His extensive tour of 1816, covering more than 500 miles and making the same number of sketches, makes him an original ‘tourist' to the region
• Turner was inspired to make over 800 sketches and paintings of locations across the region and these now, in turn, inspire visitors to the romantic landscapes and countryside, historic houses, castles and abbeys the region has to offer.
For more information about the Turner Trails go to www.yorkshire.com/turner
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Image attached. Caption: Welcome to Yorkshire's chief executive Gary Verity and Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for Yorkshire and the Humber, were today joined by Wetherby councillor John Procter for an official opening.
Editors' Notes:
• Welcome to Yorkshire is the official tourism agency for Yorkshire, working to grow the county's visitor economy.
• Welcome to Yorkshire is funded by Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency charged with improving the Yorkshire and Humber economy.
• Key facts include:
• Tourism in Yorkshire is worth £7 billion annually
• The county's industry employs almost a quarter of a million people
• There are 209 million visits to Yorkshire each year
For more news and a free image bank www.yorkshire.com/mediacentre
Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 30,000 projects, allocating £4.5billion across the UK, including £351million in Yorkshire & the Humber alone. Website: www.hlf.org.uk.
For further information contact:
Jo Francisco - Press Officer
Email: jfrancisco@yorkshire.com
Direct Line: 0113 322 3563
Mobile: 07769257327
Andy Denton - Press Officer
Email: adenton@yorkshire.com
Direct Line: 0113 322 3537
Mobile: 0785 5812094