AMT Public

A project led by an innovative partnership of private business and community arts charity is due to come to fruition with the opening of The Coldstones Cut on 16 September, an iconic piece of art, standing 1300 feet above sea level overlooking the magnificent scenery of Nidderdale and beyond and down into a centuries-old working quarry.

A computer-generated graphic of the cut into the quarry.

Situated close to the village of Greenhow, on the western edge of Nidderdale, three miles from Pateley Bridge, the Coldstones Quarry workings are barely visible from the road. The Coldstones Cut, an exemplary piece of 21^st century public art, has been designed by artist Andrew Sabin, to both inspire and challenge. Built on a large scale, it is dwarfed by the environment in which it sits and is designed in the shape of a Cut through the land, taking the visitor through a streetscape (using the material extracted from the quarry) through the rural landscape and emerging onto the apron that overlooks this industrial, working quarry.

The project is a cooperative venture between Hanson Aggregates, the quarry owner and operator, and Nidderdale Visual Arts, a community-based local charity dedicated to developing the visual arts as a force for economic benefit, personal development and community cohesion. The project has been supported by the Nidderdale Plus Partnership, a local voluntary regeneration agency, and Harrogate Borough Council, both of which have provided advice and practical support throughout the planning, construction and management of the project. Funding for the project has been received from Natural England (through Defra’s Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund), the Arts Council, England (Yorkshire), LEADER (Yorkshire Dales) and Yorkshire Forward.

The artist, Andrew Sabin (Photo Credit: Paul Harris Photography)

The project aims to provide benefits to the local community through enhanced tourism and  provision of a community resource for recreation, education and pride. The Coldstones Cut is a new attraction for visitors to the area and, together with existing arts and heritage sites, such as The Old Workhouse (Pateley Bridge), Yorke’s Folly, and the major Victorian and 20^th century reservoirs in the upper dale, will offer any tourist to Nidderdale both an attractive day out in wonderful scenery and also an opportunity for stimulating art and heritage experiences.

Work in progress (Photo Credit: Paul Harris Photography)

A network of footpaths merge at The Coldstones Cut, whilst the Way of the Roses cycleway passes the entrance. Cars can be left at Toft Gate car park where a short walk up the slope of the land leads the visitor to the Cut streetscape. Access for those with restricted mobility can be arranged via Hansons Aggregates Ltd.  Information about the quarry, the topology, geology and ecology of the area will educate both the casual visitor as well as being the basis for an educational programme both for schools locally and beyond.

Building the walls (Photo Credit: Paul Harris Photography)