14 December 2006
Burnley MP welcomes "Singing Ringing Tree"
Panopticon n. structure, space or device providing a comprehensive or panoramic view
Burnley"s MP Kitty Ussher has welcomed East Lancashire"s latest Panopticon, "Singing Ringing Tree", which was officially declared open today by The Worshipful Mayor, Councillor Mohammad Najib, JP, and designers Tonkin Liu.
"The completion of "Singing Ringing Tree" is a fantastic accomplishment for Burnley," she said. "Visually the design is stunning and it will act as a major landmark for Burnley, attracting visitors and boosting Burnley's tourist sector and economy. It is a true symbol of Burnley's emergence and regeneration and I would urge all local people to visit the attraction."
Panopticons, funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Lancashire Economic Partnership (LEP), is a visionary scheme to create a unique series of 21st century landmarks across East Lancashire, as symbols of the renaissance of the area.
Burnley"s Panopticon is sited at Crown Point, which on a clear day commands a spectacular panorama of East Lancashire, including a striking overview of the town of Burnley, with the famous Turf Moor football stadium at its centre.
At the start of today"s launch event, guests were taken to the site by coach to see "Singing Ringing Tree" for the first time and to hear its mysterious song. This musical element is created by the wind whistling through its "branches", which are in fact galvanised steel pipes carefully tuned to ensure that the tree sings in harmony.
Later, at Towneley Hall, guests were treated to refreshments, musical entertainment from students of Unity College, Burnley, and the chance to hear from the designers and key partners in the project about the making of "Singing Ringing Tree".
VIPs at the event included former Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Sir Simon Towneley, KCVO, JP, on whose land "Singing Ringing Tree" has been built. A great supporter of the arts and of Burnley and its beautiful surrounding landscape, Sir Simon worked together with his son Peregrine to secure additional funding for Burnley"s Panopticon as well as offering the land.
Also in attendance were representatives of the funding bodies, the Borough and ELEAN, the multi-agency partnership behind the project, led by Mid Pennine Arts. Keynote speakers were project champion, Anthony Wilson, the broadcaster and entrepreneur; Ian Whittaker, Policy and Partnerships Manager (Lancashire), NWDA; Dennis Taylor, Chief Executive, LEP; Steve Rumbelow, Chief Executive, Burnley Borough Council; Cllr Roger Frost, Executive Member for Leisure and Culture, Burnley Borough Council; and designers Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu.
Nick Hunt, Director of Mid Pennine Arts and Master of Ceremonies, commented, "We are absolutely delighted to see the completion of this third East Lancashire Panopticon - the culmination of a great deal of work by all our partners, in particular our exceptionally talented colleagues at Tonkin Liu, who had the imagination to dream up this extraordinary singing tree and the remarkable skills required to make it a reality. "Singing Ringing Tree" is a unique sculptural landmark which will undoubtedly attract many visitors and allow them to enjoy a completely new perspective on Burnley and its beautiful surrounding countryside."
Comments from key partners
Ian Whittaker, NWDA Policy and Partnerships Manager
""Singing Ringing Tree" is unique and will I hope prove to be a distinctive landmark for Burnley in the years to come, adding to Pennine Lancashire's natural and built heritage. There is no doubt of its fantastic location, highlighting some stunning countryside and providing another Burnley icon. The Panopticons project is going from strength to strength in developing real assets and talking points for Pennine Lancashire, and NWDA is pleased to provide its support."
Dennis Taylor, Chief Executive, Lancashire Economic Partnership
"The realisation of three Panopticons is tangible evidence of the outstanding achievements of all involved in the East Lancashire Regional Park and the Panopticons schemes. These iconic landmarks, placed in prime locations, serve as extraordinary gateways into the Regional Park whilst characterising Lancashire as a unique and attractive tourism and business location. The economic benefit of quality of environment cannot be underestimated."
Cllr Roger Frost, Executive Member for Leisure and Culture, Burnley Borough Council
""Singing Ringing Tree" is an important new landmark for Burnley, which will play a key part in raising the profile of the town and will have a major impact on the regeneration and transformation under way in the borough. This unique landmark will also support the town's identity, creating a legacy for future generations, forming part of our culture and heritage.
The impact of the art will be felt locally through community involvement and engagement in the project, regionally as it forms part of an East Lancashire scheme and nationally through iconic images supporting the region"s tourism."
Notes to editors
1. "Singing Ringing Tree" is situated at Crown Point, off the A682 Burnley to Rawtenstall road. (On leaving Burnley, turn left off the road opposite The Bull pub.)
2. Images of "Singing Ringing Tree" and full background information on the Panopticons project are available at www.panopticons.uk.net
3. A complementary education and creative arts programme, Land, offers schoolchildren and local people the opportunity to be directly involved in the development of the Panopticons, and Burnley has been particularly active in community engagement. Visit the Burnley page at www.land.uk.net for details of the flag-flying event, the Tonkin Liu community weekend, the story-telling competition and the burial of a time capsule on the Panopticon site.
4. Panopticons and Land are projects of the East Lancashire Environmental Arts Network (ELEAN), which aims to demonstrate the positive role of the arts and cultural activity in the social, economic and physical regeneration of East Lancashire. ELEAN is managed by Mid Pennine Arts and supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency, the Lancashire Economic Partnership, Arts Council England North West, THE NORTHERN WAY, Lancashire County Council, REMADE, Elevate East Lancashire, the East Lancashire Groundwork Trusts, United Utilities, Lancashire Small Sites, the local authorities of Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale, Pendle Leisure Trust and Rossendale Leisure Trust.
5. Contacts for further information:
• Northwest Regional Development Agency: Sarah Moston, Press Officer, on 01925 400552
• Lancashire Economic Partnership: Narina Riskowitz, Communications Officer, on 01254 300491
• Burnley Borough Council: Joanne Etherington, Senior Marketing Officer, Communications Unit, on 01282 477315