Shipston-on-Stour's town centre has benefited from a unique series of locally designed public art pieces which celebrate the heritage of Shipston.
The project was managed and part funded by Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Shipston Town Council in partnership with Advantage West Midlands' Better Welcome initiative which provided £25,000 towards the project.
The attractive town centre of Shipston-on-Stour thrives on the strength of independent retailers who were commended by the Better Welcome Programme for providing excellent service to their customers.
But whilst Shipston does have a strong short stay visitor economy, it was the aim of the Better Welcome Programme to encourager a longer stay by providing information about the town to help enhance the visitor experience.
To encourage visitors and residents to connect with the town, the public art pieces reflect the prosperity the town enjoyed through it's connection with sheep based industries, as the 'sheep wash town' and through the plush and shag weaving industries that thrived in the vicinity.
The project has been overseen by a small group made up of District and Town Council representatives and members of the local community. The art pieces have all been designed and manufactured by local artists, in keeping with the town's spirit of supporting the local economy.
Visitors to the town should look out for David Dewis' information panels located in the town centre, Jude Tucker's Sheep Sculpture located on the gyratory and Ros Ingram's series of heritage plaques located on various historical buildings.
For more information on the project, please see- www.stratford.gov.uk/visitors/Betterwelcome
