Barnwell Country Park received a makeover on the 21st September under the guidance of local artist Richard Gibson. Oundle School pupils spent Sunday making wicker structures, wattle & daub screens, and various other pieces of art using only natural materials. Among the structures built were two willow and hazel huts around 2 metres tall, a willow spider, and a hanging screen. These new instalments add to the pre-existing artwork scattered around the park, and are intended to bring art to all age groups. Sharron Elliot described them as, “rustic” and “In keeping with the look of the park”.

Richard Gibson has instalments in Peterborough and Ferry Meadows Park. Previously a teacher, he still works extensively with local schools and communities. Much of his work is inspired by its setting, and Mr Gibson works extensively with natural materials. He said that it was “fantastic to see so much creativity” in the work, and was delighted with the finished instalments.

Barnwell Country Park, which started life as a gravel pit, has won a Green Flag Award every year for the last four years. The Green Flag Award is a national scheme designed to improve the quality of parks in England and Wales, with pilot schemes taking place in Scotland and Northern Ireland.