The newest additions at Robinswood Hill Country Park will literally take shape on the Hill. The final of fourteen new wooden features will be a snake, which will be carved from locally sourced English Oak on Saturday 4th February by Andy O'Neill and his chainsaw. The new features will highlight the geological and natural history of the Hill and have been planned with the help of local community groups and the Friends of Robinswood Hill. One of the carvings, a large bench, is to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the others are creatures found, or that were once found on Robinswood Hill. These include a belemnite (a squid-like animal from the Jurassic era), ammonites and fossils to reflect the area's geological past as a tropical seabed, plus a great crested newt and grass snake, which can be found in the rich habitat on the hill. The carvings have been funded by the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Fund financed by the SITA Trust, who awarded the City Council a £25,000 grant to carry out family-friendly improvements on the hill. Councillor Kathy Williams, Cabinet member for Environment, Gloucester City Council said: "I am delighted the sculptures are finally going to have their new home. "I'm sure they will be popular with visitors and will really help highlight the history to those who take a trip to the hill. "The new barbeque and picnic area will also be a welcome addition as many visitors have been asking for this for some time." Robinswood Hill, along with Plock Court and Gloucester Park were all designated as protected 'Queen Elizabeth II Fields' in 2012 to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The carvings will be clustered on the lower slopes on the hill, by the main car park. These will accompany other improvements including the creation of steps on the steep bank up to the summit and new seating, picnic tables and barbeque areas, which will be installed in the spring.
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