ROBIN WOOD'S SCULPTURES STAR IN WINTON WALKS LAUNCH

On Saturday September 2nd there is a Winton Family Fun Day in Pencaitland to launch a newly developed and linked 12 mile (20km) network of walks created over the last two years by Winton's foresters for the local community. It is also a fundraising event for Mercy Ships, a global charity which partners with local communities in West Africa on water well, sanitation and healthcare projects.

To tie in with the themes of providing clean water in Africa and the woods at Winton, two nine foot carvings of African women carrying water have been created by local sculptor, Robin Wood, from near Humbie in East Lothian. Robin has been sculpting native British hardwoods into giant animals, birds, plants, benches and other amazing creations using chainsaws, power tools and chisels for the last seven years. There are still opportunities to sponsor these 'African ladies'.

Robin says: "I'm largely self-taught. Initially, I worked with a lot of elm but now work with other Scottish hardwoods such as oak, lime and Douglas fir. The two African ladies have been sculpted from a Douglas fir from Saltoun Big Wood, which is part of the Winton Estate. I'm delighted that my sculptures are part of the Winton Walks launch, and, having worked for a year on a Sunseed desert reclamation project, I can relate to Mercy Ships and what they are trying to achieve."

Robin Wood's highly acclaimed work has resulted in a wide variety of different commissions: giant sea birds and seal benches for Monifieth sea front; tigers and penguins for Edinburgh Zoo; chess pieces for East Links Family Park near East Linton; trains, totten poles, round houses and benches for local primary schools; and even a giant caterpillar for the National Trust.

The Winton Walks have only been possible with the hard work of Winton's forestry team who have themselves also created other intriguing points of interest for walkers: a wooden pirate ship, an 'Ormiston Express' train, unusual 'walkers' roosts' with space for up to four people to shelter, and carved 'Pixie Perch' toadstools.

Walkers will have four routes from 1.5 miles to 6.6 miles to choose from: a nature-based scavenger hunt with a ride back by horse and cart; a story-telling and ranger-led walk along the River Tyne; a historical walk through Pencaitland; and a 6.6 mile (10km) sponsored walk for more serious exercise (11am to 2pm). The distance of the walk reflects how far millions of people walk to collect clean water everyday and there are still opportunities to participate in this.

Fantastic entertainment has been laid on for the day and will include: a delicious Ballencrieff barbeque; bird boxes for families to build and paint; a miniature boat race down the River Tyne; lots of music including a drumming workshop; an art workshop by the new Kingfisher Bridge; a trailer ride for the return leg of the Ormiston Express; a tug o' war; and, of course, an opportunity for exercise along the Winton Walks.

Notes for Editors
Mercy Ships provides very practical health care and water supply improvement services to Africa where nearly 50% of the population have no access to a hospital or doctor, 1.2 billion people do not have safe drinking water and life expectancy is only 41 years.

Their Mercy Ship, Anastasis, recently arrived in Ghana with a crew of 400 for a project to provide free healthcare, training and community development. On board several hundred patients will receive surgical care for conditions that local hospitals may not be able to treat. Simultaneously, teams go out into the community to provide clean water to 23 villages which includes constructing 35 new wells and rehabilitating 20 existing wells, as well as installing sanitation. All of this is supported by training on well maintenance, latrine construction skills and hygiene promotion.

In the words of Nelson Mandela: "...I salute the vision and mission of Mercy Ships and ask that you join me in supporting their noble work and contribute to make this world a better place."

For more information or an application form, please contact Morag Ramus at Winton House on 01875 340222 / morag@wintonhouse.co.uk or Christopher Lamotte on 01620 824986 or 07957 870071.

For further information on Mercy Ships, please contact Lois Boyle or Lorna Inglis at Media House on 0141 220 6040.