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Gen Z Smiling Wolf Digital

The Fairytale of Burscough Bridge

By The Drum, Administrator

February 13, 2009 | 3 min read

No bloody fairies here

The Fairytale of Burscough Bridge aims to celebrate modern creative life beyond the city; presenting the realisation of a contemporary design project within a town boasting long-established traditions and community spirit.

Liverpool-based design agencies BCA Landscape and Smiling Wolf created this adventurous scheme with the aim of enriching the sense of identity in the Lancashire village of Burscough Bridge.

The scheme involved the creation of a series of new small interlinked squares and pedestrian routes (previously full of parked cars and clutter), animated with bespoke furniture, paving, artworks, lighting, signage and a village clock.

Creating a dialogue surrounding the issues of accessibility, social inclusive art outside a gallery and city environment, the benefits to the community are wide-reaching – regenerating public space and improving social identity.

The Fairytale of Burscough Bridge, was a working title at first (like an old Brothers Grimm Story or a Tim Burton movie) since this was a place filled with tall tales of nine-toed boatmen, window peepers and Grumman Hellcats. Others that have passed through include Edward William Bootle-Wilbraham, Third Earl of Lathom and Fourth Baron of Skelmersdale and his high life friends Noel Coward and Ivor Novello.

“Most conceptualist designers gain commissions for stand-alone spaces such as public squares or plazas in cities, or else parks or communal garden areas,” says landscape critic, Tim Richardson.

“The Fairytale of Burscough Bridge project is unusual for two reasons – the relatively small size of the settlement, and the way BCA Landscape and Smiling Wolf have extrapolated the scheme throughout the whole length of the village, so that it acts as a series of episodes or, indeed, as a journey of sorts, from Wharf Square to Church Square to the illuminated church itself.”

WHARF SQUARE: “Not many people can remember the Pace Eggers, only a few have vague recollections of dressing up when they were kids and singing the songs. It’s been a long time, but the Pace Eggers have returned to Burscough. Tosspot, Beelzebub and friends have arrived in their usual guises - jackets inside out, blackened faces, colourful ribbons and horned hats. They dance and sing and play the squeeze box in a custom that has been performed at Easter for hundreds of years, but in recent times has faded from Burscough life, along with the Rushbearing Fair and the Tea Party Procession.”

THIS IS NOT A CREST: “One of the many elements was the Village Crest. Only when you make a start do you realise how much there is to learn. Early draft proposals were asking for trouble, as the designers soon found out that you can’t go around arrogating lion supporters without royal appointment, certainly if you don’t want to end up with your head on a spike. So the lions holding the shield had to go and in came the Burscough Boat Horses.”

THERE ARE NO BLOODY FAIRIES IN BURSCOUGH: “The tale lost its fairy at the eleventh hour. It was one step too far for some. Beelzebub yes‚ fairies no! But of course we all know there are fairies in Burscough Bridge and many more long forgotten stories that are always just a little out of reach. It can’t be a coincidence that the Fairey Fireflies (squadron 1771) flew out of Burscough’s HMS Ringtail in the Second World War.”

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