STORIES and thoughts from local people are the inspiration for a project set to transform a public space in a Suffolk village.Residents past and present are being asked to take part in the project to develop the series of pathways, lighting and artworks that will improve the area between Hartest Way, Minsmere Way, Rede Way and Raydon Way on the Anglia Estate in Great Cornard near Sudbury.

STORIES and thoughts from local people are the inspiration for a project set to transform a public space in a Suffolk village.

Residents past and present are being asked to take part in the project to develop the series of pathways, lighting and artworks that will improve the area between Hartest Way, Minsmere Way, Rede Way and Raydon Way on the Anglia Estate in Great Cornard near Sudbury.

Suffolk-based artist Les Bicknell has been working closely with local residents and groups to develop ideas and designs for the area.

He has also been listening to residents' concerns and interests in order to include them into the design for the space.

The plans include a series of pathways, lighting and artworks that will enable people to walk across the estate freely and create a safer atmosphere.

Mr Bicknell said: “The design and artworks are like a visible time capsule - depicting stories and moments in time of the people in this particular area of Great Cornard.

“I will be engaging with local schools and will also be holding open days where I would like to talk to current and former residents of the estate.

“The design and artworks are all a result of the resident's ideas and this is what will make this project special for the area - knowing that local people have made it what it is.”

Writing and pictures will be cut into stone at foot level and placed along the pathways as a testimony to the people from the estate and the wider community.

The inspiration for the artworks will come from local residents and schoolchildren through a variety of workshops and activities.

Some of the ideas of what will go into the stones so far have included individual stories of first moving to the area from London and residents' thoughts about the past, present and future.

And young people from Great Cornard's schools will be asked to focus on the theme of what is important to them in their contributions

The Passing Comment project, which is part of Babergh District Council's improvement programme for the area, has been successful in securing more than £30,000 of funding from Arts Council England, East.

The improvement programme at Anglia Estate began five years ago and Babergh received a Beacon Award for the Neighbourhood renewal work carried out.

The innovative arts project takes another step forward later this month with a series of community-based workshops.

Susie Tyrrell, Babergh District Council's arts and community development officer, said: “This is an important project for the estate which celebrates the people and the area of Great Cornard.

“It will enhance and join together a piece of land which would otherwise have been left with no real function. The key to this project's success has been the involvement of the residents and the community.”

For further information on the workshops - or how to get involved - please call Susie Tyrrell on 01473 826 615 or email susie.tyrrell@babergh.gov.uk