Flocks of Sheep Bring to Life GBP450k Transformation of Exeter Cathedral Green

BIRMINGHAM, England, May 13, 2011 - A flock of 170 life sized designer sheep will be on-hand to help launch
the GBP450k transformation of the Exeter Cathedral green this Friday (Friday
13th May 2011).

The GBP450,000 investment from Groundwork UK and Big Lottery Fund's
Community Spaces programme, has helped complete the first phase in the master
plan for the green - breathing life back by creating new pathways, lighting
and planting as well as places to sit and enjoy the improved landscape.

The sheep are part of the opening celebrations and have been hand painted
and designed by local school children with the help of the Devon Learning and
Development Partnership (LDP).

The Cathedral green is an important and well-used public space in the
City of Exeter with a wealth of historical associations. The Vision for the
Green project aims to cement the role of the area as a tranquil and
contemplative public space at the heart of the City.

The project will be officially launched in the presence of Her Majesty's
Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, Eric Dancer CBE JP and the Rt Revd Dr Michael
Langrish, Bishop of Exeter; Vice Patrons of the Cathedral's Third Millennium
Campaign.

Campaign Director, Jill Taylor said, "We are excited about completing the
first phase of this project - local people have followed the developments on
the green with great interest and are pleased to be able to enjoy the area
once more. The Community Spaces funding has given us the impetus to keep
going towards realising our vision."

The improvements mean that local people have a space to relax and enjoy
the green and will make the Cathedral more of a focal point for community
events and civic occasions.

Wendy Jenkins, Director of Open Grants at Groundwork UK, said, "This is
really exciting news for us, we have awarded nine flagship grants through the
programme and to see the first one complete within a year is marvellous. It's
already clear that the changes will make a big difference to the people of
Exeter - we hope the green becomes a well-used and popular public space for
all."

Groundwork UK has been administering funding through the Community Spaces
programme as an Award Partner to the Big Lottery Fund since March 2008. The
programme has now closed to applications; however, it will enable the
creation and improvement of almost 1000 projects across the country. For more
information visit: www.community-spaces.org.uk

Vision for the Green project

The completed project has a similar area of grass as before but now with
the addition of new trees, including several specimen trees reflecting the
locality, such as the Devon Luccombe Oak and the Exeter Elm.

The interpretation on site, which will be completed over the summer
months, will include letter carved poetry inscriptions in the stone
thresholds by Annet Stirling, (Annet will be demonstrating her craft at the
opening celebrations) and bronze roundels set into the stone paths depicting
historically significant events by Hilary Cartmel.

The 'Flock'

As part of the opening celebration, the Devon Learning and Development
Partnership (LDP) and Exeter Cathedral have organised a project for Devon
primary and secondary schools entitled 'The Flock'. This art and design
project involves children aged 5 to 16 years and school communities painting
life-sized resin sheep inspired by art and artists from this and other times
and places. In total there is planned to be 170 life-sized sheep and lambs in
the Flock "installation" on the Green over the weekend for visitors to enjoy.

Community Spaces

Community Spaces is a GBP57.5 million open grants programme, funded by
the Big Lottery Fund and managed by Groundwork UK as an award partner to the
Changing Spaces initiative. The programme helps community groups create or
improve green and open spaces so that the quality of life in neighbourhoods
across England is enhanced.

Community Spaces closed to new application on the 07 January 2011. The
programme was open for grants of between GBP10,000 - GBP450,000 since March
2008. Nine grants of up to GBP450,000 have been made across the country.

Groundwork UK

Groundwork supports communities in need, working with partners to help
improve the quality of people's lives, their prospects and potential and the
places where they live, work and play.

Our vision is of a society of sustainable communities which are vibrant,
healthy and safe, which respect the local and global environment and where
individuals and enterprise prosper. For further information visit:
www.groundwork.org.uk

Big Lottery Fund

The Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces programme was launched
in November 2005 to help communities enjoy and improve their local
environments. The programme is funding a range of activities from local food
schemes and farmers markets, to education projects teaching people about the
environment. Groundwork UK was appointed as a Changing Spaces award partner,
responsible for distributing GBP57.5 million through its Community Spaces
scheme.

The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause
distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment
and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was
established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.

Full details of the work of the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and
awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Notes to Editor

Photographs of sheep on the green available on request - please contact
Nisha Virdi on +44(0)121-237-5872.

For media enquiries please contact, Nisha Virdi: +44(0)121-237-5872 or
+44(0)7748-320-074. Email press@community-spaces.org.uk

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: +44(0)20-7211-1888, Out of hours:
+44(0)7867-500-572

Public enquiries line: +44(0)8454-102030, Textphone:
+44(0)8456-021-659

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