Shoppers and business people walking through the centre of Swadlincote between now and the 7th April will see The Delph Market Square transformed into a magnificent street gallery, packed with over 100 stunning images by some of the top wildlife and landscape photographers in the UK.
2020VISION is the most ambitious nature photography project ever staged in the UK, and the exhibition opening in Swadlincote is the first chance anyone in England has had to see the scale of the work. It features images taken in twenty locations throughout the country, including The National Forest, and celebrates landscape-scale restoration projects that benefit both wildlife and people.
Wild Ennerdale in the Lake District, the Black Country Living Landscape, The Greater Thames Futurescape, the restoration of the Cambridgeshire and East Anglian Fens – all these and more are featured in the gallery.
Get up-close and personal with bitterns, bees and buntings; marvel at the peregrine falcon, ptarmigan and the ancient pines of the Caledonian forest. The National Forest itself is represented with images of Calke Park, Rosliston Forestry Centre, Bradgate Park, Beacon Hill, Conkers, Sence Valley and Feanedock Wood. Tree planting events and some of The National Forest’s young woodlands feature alongside images of ancient woodland.
Sophie Churchill OBE, Chief Executive of the National Forest Company, said: “2020VISION approached us at the start of this marvellous project, having identified The National Forest as a rare example of a successful regeneration project led by the environment. The landscape-scale change we are achieving with a whole host of partners such as the National Trust, South Derbyshire District Council and H K Wentworth benefits wildlife, people and communities. It is fantastic to see this project come to fruition and all these outstanding images in one place. I do hope members of the public find them as breath-taking as I do.”
Cllr Bob Wheeler, Leader of South Derbyshire District Council, said: “It is a real coup for South Derbyshire to be staging this exciting and inspirational exhibition.
“South Derbyshire is an essential part of The National Forest story of regeneration. As the only location in the country to host the whole 2020VISION experience, we are keen to let people know that the exhibition will be coming to us so that no one misses out on what is a wonderful opportunity to view this showcase of breathtaking British wildlife at its picturesque best.
“Coming at the same time as Swadlincote’s national award for the best small open air market, South Derbyshire is at the centre of national attention. These achievements contribute to our vision of creating a vibrant town centre for residents and visitors to enjoy.”
The 2020VISION exhibition, which is free to view 24 hours a day, is brought to The National Forest by a partnership including South Derbyshire District Council, the National Trust, H K Wentworth Limited and the National Forest Company. Parking in Swadlincote is free.
The 2020VISION exhibition is on display in The Delph from 18 March – 7 April; it then transfers to Calke Abbey at Ticknall from 10 – 29 April.
During the street gallery, Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, in West Street, Swadlincote, will have an audio visual presentation on the making of the exhibition, as well as books and postcards featuring the stunning images.
For further information see www.visitnationalforest.co.uk/2020vision or call 01283 222848.
