Art installation unveiled at Whitby Abbey

The artwork has been unveiled at Whitby Abbey

An art installation honouring seven "game changers" has been unveiled at Whitby Abbey as part of the National Lottery's 30th birthday celebrations.

The Heritage Tree pays tribute to the "extraordinary impact" the seven have had on heritage and conservation, a National Lottery spokesperson said.

Those honoured include Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, and Arthur Torrington CBE, who co-founded the Windrush Foundation.

The 5,400 sq m (58125 sq ft) artwork has been created using the abbey’s landscape and natural pigments painted on the ground to show the subjects' hands holding the roots of a tree.

The artwork has been unveiled at Whitby Abbey

The National Lottery spokesperson said the "game changers" were nominated by members of the public and selected by a panel.

They were chosen as examples of inspiring individuals who developed and delivered Lottery-funded projects to preserve heritage and enhance science and the environment.

The other "game changers" include Teresa Anderson MBE, director of Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement; Chantelle Lindsay, presenter, project officer with the London Wildlife Trust and advocate for diversity and inclusivity in wildlife; Sandy Bremner, convener for the National Parks Authority; Lisa Power MBE, LGBTQIA+ rights campaigner and Pride Cymru volunteer and Heidi McIlvenny, the former project leader for Ulster Wildlife's Sea Deep initiative.

The artwork was unveiled by actor and broadcaster Sir Tony Robinson, who said he was "deeply honoured" to support the celebration of "these extraordinary people".

Eilish McGuinness, CEO of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The creation of a stunning Heritage Tree installation at Whitby Abbey honours seven of those extraordinary game changers and beautifully symbolises the deep roots and ever-growing impact of each, reflecting our shared ambition to strengthen heritage."

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