York Trailblazers’ Tansy Beetle sculptures rehomed

For summer 2024, vibrant awe-inspiring Tansy Beetle sculptures were displayed around the city, each one a unique tribute to the remarkable individuals who have shaped York's history.

York Trailblazers (from 1 August to 30 September 2024) was an exciting new sculpture trail by York Civic Trust and Make It York, made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

Known as “The Jewel of York”, the endangered Tansy Beetle was chosen as the emblem of the Trailblazer project, reflecting its special status as a York resident with its riverside habitat along the banks of the River Ouse. The Tansy Beetle’s perseverance mirrors the rich history of York’s trailblazers who have made significant impacts locally, nationally and globally.  

If you missed the trail or want to continue admiring the craftsmanship, all 17 sculptures will remain on display in and around York. 

Thirteen sculptures have been rehomed at: 

• Askham Bryan College – two sculptures will be on display at a tansy beetle themed garden. This location is particularly important – you will see hundreds of Tansy Beetles out over the summer months.  
• Park & Ride locations – one each at Askham Bar, Grimston Bar, Monks Cross, Poppleton Bar and Rawcliffe Bar (five total) 
• Web Adventure Park (two sculptures) 
• Height Designs 
• St. Andrew’s Church (which formed one of the Community Groups involved in the project) 
• Hempland Primary School (which formed one of the Community Groups involved in the project) 
• St. Nicks Environmental Centre (which formed one of the Community Groups involved in the project) 

Four sculptures are remaining in their original location at:   

• The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre 
• West Offices (home to City of York Council) 
• Fishergate Primary School 
• Sanderson House (home of The Place) 

The beetle structure was crafted by Tom Springett of Metalwork Creations to design these stunning metal works of art. Additionally, the use of sustainable materials and carefully selected artwork played a key role in ensuring the project’s longevity and environmental impact.  

The project was co-curated with community groups to celebrate York's unsung heroes, working with local artists to create something unique and meaningful to them. The artwork canvases that once adorned the beetle sculpture’s shell have been returned to the community groups to preserve and safeguard for the future. 

Visitors were invited to vote for their favourite sculpture, and the top choice was the stunning piece for ‘York Young Carers’. This was researched by unpaid Young Adult Carers aged 16-25 from the York Carers Centre. The sculpture was designed by Zoe Phillips, an inclusive mixed media artist who explores our connections with objects and the narratives they hold. 

The group reflected that carers share similar experiences and circumstances but have unique stories in their own right. Therefore, it would be difficult to find one Trailblazer to represent them all. They felt the sculpture would be impactful if it enabled carers to recognise themselves as Trailblazers for the roles they hold, sacrifices they make and difficulties they go through for the love of the person they care for. They said, the sculpture design “should be not what it appears - with lots going on underneath”. The group were taken by the grace of the tansy beetle’s exterior, also the power and resilience of the driving legs and inner workings underneath the shell. They felt this gave a perfect metaphor for a carer. 

Trails in the city always prove popular with residents and visitors, with 87% satisfied with their visit, as our survey shows. In addition, a huge majority spent time exploring and soaking in the city's ambience, as well as indulging in the local culinary scene, dining in restaurants, cafes, and bars (62%). The trail attracted a local audience interested in their heritage. Over half of people surveyed, 57%, were York residents, and 94% of all trail visitors agreed that they learned something new about the history and heritage of York. 

Andrew Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of York Civic Trust said:   
“It is wonderful that the impact of the York Trailblazers’ sculptures have all found a permanent home to continue to inspire people that York’s heritage is rich and diverse. The fact that all 17 sculptures will be accessible for the long term shows that temporary interventions like sculpture trails can be entirely sustainable and make a lasting impression.” 

Sarah Loftus, Managing Director of Make It York, said:  
“The York Trailblazers Project has had a profound impact, drawing in visitors and fostering a sense of pride within the community. It showcased local talent, celebrated creativity, and brought people together to explore York in a new way. It’s wonderful that the sculptures will remain in the city, allowing everyone to continue admiring these artistic treasures for years to come.” 

Janice Dunphy, Managing Director of Web Adventure Park said: 
“We are thrilled to be the custodians of two Tansy Beetle Sculptures which have taken pride of place in the park. We intend to use them to educate our visitors about this scarce species and hopefully encourage children to take an interest in nature and our amazing wildlife, we will add some information on to the base of the sculpture. 
The connection between the park - which used to be called ‘Creepy Crawlies’, and the fact that Wigginton village name derives from the Olde English pre-7th Century personal name “Wicga”, meaning “a beetle”. This coupled with the fact that the Web will celebrate the twenty years of opening in October makes it a perfect time for the sculptures to arrive.” 

Dr Tim Whitaker, Principal at Askham Bryan College, said:  
"These tansy beetle sculptures have made a fantastic addition to the grounds at Askham Bryan College and can be seen in our Wildlife Park which is open to the public and by our main reception building. As members of the Tansy Beetle Action Group, we are working to conserve the local tansy beetle through our Tansy Ark sites in our wildlife park and by our farm.” 

Lucy Mottram, Marketing Manager for First Bus in North & West Yorkshire, said:
“We were delighted to support the continued display of the beetle sculptures. Plans are being developed to create new community artworks for each ‘shell’ which we’re sure will intrigue the millions of customers using Park and Ride.” 

You can find more information and watch ‘Trailblazing Stories: Films and Futures’ - celebrating the project’s innovative digital commissions - at: visityork.org/york-trailblazers