A colourful and thought-provoking fibreglass kingfisher has settled in Stonehouse as part of a sculpture trail contributed to by several Stroud artists.

It is one of 22 dazzling art pieces which will make up the Kingfisher Trail, organised by the Cotswolds National Landscape, which is set to launch on May 31.

The event, which lasts until early October, aims to be a unique way for people to connect with nature in the Cotswold’s this summer.

Stonehouse Mayor, Cllr Gary Powell, said: “We are delighted that Stonehouse has been included on the Kingfisher Trail and our sculpture is a really engaging and topical piece of artwork with a Greta Thunberg theme designed by Russell Haines.

“Visitors will be assured of a warm welcome and we hope to see lots of ‘selfies’ being taken on the Town Green over the summer.  So, start planning your kingfisher spotting now, and while you are here, perhaps do some shopping and stop for refreshments at our cafes, restaurants and pubs.”

Stroud News and Journal:

Artists featured in the trail include Slad’s Kerry Phippen, of London and New York fame, Uley’s Hannah Dyson, artist in residence at the Prema Arts Centre, and Stroud’s Albie Lucas, who undertook the well-known political mural at Gannicox road, Stroud and the bus stop installation ‘Everyday People’ in Brimscombe.

Other contributors include Andy Davies, who runs the Cheltenham Paint Festival, Imogen Harvey-Lewis, whose clients include Ecotricity and the Cheltenham Literary Festival, and ‘Banksy’s right-hand man’ Inkie.

The designs are led by internationally renowned painter, PJ Crook MBE.

The Kingfisher Trail will encourage people to discover the giant kingfisher sculptures across two distinct routes inspired by the rivers Severn and Thames.

An App will be launched to coincide with the start of the Trail that will allow visitors to ‘tick off’ the kingfishers over the course of the summer.

Many of the artists involved are based in and around the Cotswolds and you can find out more about them on the official trail website.